Shops in the centre had their shutters down, many with messages of sympathy and support in their windows, and ordinary people did not go to work.

Schools were closed, flights and trains cancelled, and the only public transport still operating was taking people to and from Syntagma Square.

Taxi drivers promised to take people to the protest without charge.

Now that’s how you protest! Such a severe protest would be unthinkable here in Germany. And yet, I have doubts whether the government is going to give in …