Greece faced widespread travel disruption as Christmas holiday journeys got under way, with farmer blockades causing heavy congestion on major road networks and raising concerns over road safety and access to regional destinations during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Authorities reported miles-long traffic jams on the Athens–Thessaloniki national highway, particularly beyond the Schimatari area north of the capital. Significant delays were also recorded around Thebes, including on the Thebes Connector Road and the city’s northern ring road.
Disruptions extended intermittently along sections of the Thebes–Livadeia highway as far as Aliartos, around 100 km (60 miles) north of Athens. Officials warned that congestion could worsen if the blockades persist, as thousands of travelers head toward rural areas and winter tourism destinations.
The protests come amid ongoing demonstrations by farmers demanding additional financial support and policy changes.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addressed the issue at a cabinet meeting, urging farmers to de-escalate protests and stressing that the government has already advanced significant financial commitments to the sector. He said disbursements totaling 3.8 billion euros ($4.4 billion) were nearing completion, with remaining payments expected to be finalised within the coming week.
Mitsotakis acknowledged delays in payments, citing a complex transition involving stricter controls and institutional reforms, including the transfer of responsibilities to the tax authority. He said overall funding exceeded last year’s levels and was now subject to stronger oversight.
The government said most farmer demands have either been resolved or remain open for dialogue. It added that recent reforms had replaced what it described as an unsustainable compensation system with a framework focused on transparency and fairness, in line with commitments to the European Commission.
Looking ahead, Mitsotakis said the government plans to establish a cross-party parliamentary committee to address long-term challenges facing the agricultural sector, with the aim of producing binding recommendations for future policy.
While recognising farmers’ right to protest, the prime minister stressed the need to balance demonstrations with the wider public interest, particularly during the holiday period. He pointed to the impact of road closures on free movement, local economies, winter tourism and public safety.
He said police had a clear mandate to ensure the reopening of roads, adding that the government would not allow travelers to be forced onto unsafe detours or exposed to increased accident risks.
Mitsotakis said the government would not yield to pressure tactics or act at the expense of other social groups, warning that further escalation could undermine public trust and social cohesion at a sensitive time.