While the government and Greece’s lenders have been enthusiastically celebrating Greece’s return to the markets, Angela Merkel is unlikely to be met by cheering crowds of relieved citizens lining the streets during her short trip to Greece. Even if they felt inclined to gather to welcome the German leader, it is prohibited.

In what seems to have become standard operating procedure when high level dignitaries visit the country, the police have once again banned mass gatherings in the center of Athens and around the locations Ms Merkel is expected to visit. The measures which were announced yesterday and are already in effect are even more draconian than those taken during Ms Merkel’s previous visit to the country in October of 2012.

Ms Merkel is expected to arrive at 3 pm at which point she will be taken directly to the Hilton hotel in the city center where, together with PM Antonis Samaras, she will take part in a closed forum with entrepreneurs and small business owners. At 17.30 she will be taken to the prime ministerial mansion of Megarou Maximou where she will give a joint press conference with the Greek Prime Minister. She will depart the country at 8.30 in the evening, staying in the country for a total of 5.5 hours. Sightseeing will clearly have to wait until next time.

Following yesterday’s bombing outside the Bank of Greece, German security officials are on high alert and taking no chances. It is reported that the Germans have still not told their Greek counterparts where Ms Merkel will be eating before her departure as a security precaution.

The route to and from the airport will be closely guarded by police with drivers subjected to strict spot checks at various points. A double perimeter will also be set up around the Hilton hotel with police out in force on foot and on motorbike patrols. Certain metro stations will also be shut at key times.

 

As this tweet shows the area in which citizens are prohibited from gathering is even bigger today than it was during Angela Merkel's previous visit in October 2012.

Furthermore mass gatherings and demonstrations have also been banned until 21.30 in the evening throughout a large part of the city center. However, despite the prohibition the ADEDY trade union representing public employees has called for a mass gathering as has opposition party SYRIZA, which has called for a demonstration in Klafthmonos Square at 17.00.

In a statement released by the party it said, “the visit of Chancellor Merkel to Athens is taking place to support the government of Samaras-Venizelos in light of the elections. To reward the catastrophic governmental project, to continue to oversee the policies of austerity, to see if the banks have been given to the interests, and that public wealth has been given for peanuts, if wages have fallen to Bulgarian levels.”