Greek farmers intensified nationwide protests on Monday, expanding road and port blockades as they press the government for compensation, lower production costs and measures to address livestock diseases and fuel taxes.
What began as scattered regional demonstrations has grown into a coordinated movement across Thessaly, Macedonia and central Greece, with major transport routes repeatedly shut and protesters warning they are prepared to remain on the roads through Christmas.
Highways and ports targeted
In Thessaly, farmers at the main protest hub in Nikaia reinforced a blockade of the Athens–Thessaloniki national highway and closed nearby service roads for two hours. Organisers said they would stage a joint blockade of the port of Volos on Wednesday, with local fishers expected to join by sea.
Dozens of tractors also lined the E65 motorway near Karditsa and Trikala, where farmers have set up makeshift encampments with tents and wood-burning stoves.
Northern Greece reported some of the heaviest disruption. Four major junctions around Thessaloniki were blocked at intervals throughout the day, including routes to the airport. Farmers in Central Macedonia said they were considering further action inside the city, including a possible blockade of the port.
Government seeks dialogue but delays expected
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has signaled willingness to meet farmers but said talks require an organised delegation that has yet to be formed. The government is attempting to avoid confrontation after earlier clashes between farmers and riot police.
“Honest farmers have nothing to fear. They will receive every euro they are entitled to,” Mitsotakis said on Sunday, adding that subsidy collection rules must be overhauled. He warned that roadblocks create broader disruption but insisted the Ministry of Rural Development “will always remain open to organised dialogue.”
Government officials say that even if all pending subsidy payments are made, wider negotiations will still be needed to end the protests. Authorities have also left open the possibility of extending a subsidised electricity scheme for farmers, but producers argue that broader measures are required to tackle high input costs.
Demographic strain and anger over subsidy scandal
Many younger farmers say they are fighting for the survival of rural communities already hit by depopulation. Anger has grown following a major EU subsidy fraud investigation at state agency OPEKEPE, which farmers say has deepened mistrust over how payments are allocated.
“We are living on loans and have nothing to lose,” said 31-year-old farmer Achilleas Panagiotou at the Nikaia roadblock. “We will not leave for pennies.”
Others are pressing for rapid action to contain sheep-pox outbreaks. “I lost my entire flock. We need mass vaccination so we can rebuild,” said livestock farmer Christos Pappas from Larissa.
Former prime ministers weigh in
Former premiers Kostas Karamanlis and Antonis Samaras urged the government to respond decisively, warning of the economic and social impact of a prolonged crisis in the countryside.
“Farmers protest not only over delays and scandals,” Samaras said. “They protest mainly about the uncertain future of their production.”
With blockades tightening across Greece and no unified leadership on the farmers’ side, negotiations are unlikely to begin immediately. Both police and government officials expect further disruption in the coming days as farmers prepare new actions targeting key infrastructure. (BV)