Thousands of demonstrators in the city of Thessaloniki on Friday forced politicians to leave an annual military parade commemorating Greece's entry into World War II.

The protest was the latest in a series of public displays of anger against austerity measures being introduced in the debt-ridden country.

President Karolos Papoulias, who was among other officials attending the parade in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, left after the demonstrators took over the event's route.

The president cancelled the event after police tried to peacefully disperse the angry crowd, who carried banners and shouted slogans against the government.

Protesters later allowed the parade to resume following the departure of officials, applauding as the country's military forces paraded past.

The president called the protest 'shameful.'

In the Greek capital Athens, hundreds of students and teachers openly demonstrated contempt for politicians by pointedly looking away from officials as their schools walked past a review stand during a parade.