My guess would be that Microsoft's Greek office didn't want to pay protection money to some or other criminal racket -- or something else along similar lines also involving criminals. This kind of violent activity tends to become more prevalent and audacious when grown men and women can no longer provide food and shelter for their families.<p>Greece is truly in the midst of a <i>Great Depression</i>. According to official statistics published by the Greek government, the country's rate of unemployment is now nearly 22% -- that is, one out of every five people looking for a job can't find one; and more disturbingly, the unemployment rate for young people is 53% -- one out of every two can't find employment.[1]<p>[1] <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-06/D9V87S5G0.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-06/D9V87S5G0.htm</a>
I'm truly baffled by what they were protesting, here. I'm no MS fan, but I haven't heard of any particular ire pointed at them for anything, much less the troubles Greece is going through now. Was this just a wanton act of petulance?
According to other news reports, this is just the latest in a string of attacks on American companies in Greece. McDonalds, Citibank, and Starbucks were hit in Athens. If this continues, you might see multinationals scale down operations or even close up shop in Greece, adding to the unemployment ranks - just what the Greek economy does not need.