"Hundreds of veterans and serving personnel marched through Athens on Saturday in protest against a draft bill to reform Greece’s military sector, warning that the proposed changes would worsen conditions for troops and undermine the rights of those in uniform. Footage shows demonstrators holding national flags, banners and placards criticising Defence Minister Nikos Dendias as they made their way towards parliament. "We are here today to show our disagreement with the inferiorisation of our profession, to say no to the further devaluation, to struggle for our rights and block all attacks by the government," said Alkis Kostopoulos, a soldier from northern Greece. Others accused the government of deepening its involvement in overseas military missions and urged broader public mobilisation against the bill, calling on citizens to 'resist with every force'. "When the Minister of Defence talks about getting used to the idea of the coffins with the flags on them, he was talking about coffins containing these people here, the servicemen and women," said Nikos Papanastasis, a veteran of the Special Forces and Communist Party MP. "Nothing good will come of this for the Greek people, the workers of Greece," he added. The bill, published for public consultation on November 20 after receiving Cabinet approval in September, would overhaul the ranking and pay system, restructure military education, tighten conscription exemptions and allow voluntary enlistment for women. The proposals have prompted strong backlash from veterans, active-duty personnel and several political parties, who warn the measures could damage morale and impact welfare by reducing pension rights and other benefits."