The farmers’ renewed refusal to enter dialogue has pushed the government into a politically uncomfortable corner, reopening a front that now threatens to remain active throughout the holiday period. While roads are expected to stay largely open to avoid a public backlash, the pressure tactics are evolving: selective blockades, symbolic actions, and even the opening of toll booths — a move that places the government in a position of legal and political contradiction.
At the heart of the issue lies the same balancing act that has defined the government’s stance from the start: “Yes” to dialogue, “no” to maximalism.
That formula, repeated by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis from Brussels, may sound reasonable in theory. In practice, however, it risks being perceived as political stagnation if it is not followed by tangible commitments.
A Message of Restraint — and Its Limits
Speaking in the early hours after the European Council, Mitsotakis attempted to draw a clear line:
“The government remains open to dialogue. We say ‘yes’ to dialogue, but ‘no’ — in every tone — to the unnecessary inconvenience of society and to actions that would harm the economy.”
The message was carefully calibrated: reassurance to the wider public, firmness toward the protesters, and a reminder that Greece operates within strict European frameworks. The prime minister was equally explicit about what will not be discussed: demands that fall outside EU rules or fiscal discipline.
Yet within the Maximos Mansion, there is growing awareness that repetition alone will not defuse the crisis.
Electricity, Subsidies and Strategic Ambiguity
The farmers’ demand for electricity at 7 cents per kilowatt-hour has become emblematic of the standoff. Government officials have hinted that the request will be “partially satisfied”, without committing to a concrete figure. This ambiguity may buy time, but it also feeds distrust.
From the farmers’ perspective, the dialogue appears open-ended and non-binding. From the government’s perspective, committing prematurely would risk setting a precedent — not just for farmers, but for other social groups watching closely.
This is where politics, not policy, takes over.
Toll Booths and the Risk of Escalation
The farmers’ intention to open toll booths for free passage has triggered visible unease in government circles. Publicly, officials emphasize legality, contracts, and the rule of law. Privately, there is concern that any forceful response would revive memories of past confrontations and trigger exactly what the government wants to avoid: social polarization and “automatic social backlash.”
The paradox is evident: – Closing roads angers the public. – Opening tolls undermines state authority.
Either way, the government pays a political price.
The OPEKEPE–AADE Reform as a Political Test
The parallel push to transfer OPEKEPE to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) adds another layer to the conflict. The government insists the reform is necessary to ensure transparent and fair subsidy distribution. Mitsotakis has framed the upcoming roll-call vote as a test of sincerity for all political parties.
Behind the scenes, however, officials acknowledge that the timing is far from ideal. For many farmers, the reform is associated with delays, audits, and uncertainty — even if, in the long run, it promises a cleaner system.
Reform logic clashes with protest timing.
The Parapolitical Undercurrent
Away from official statements, several dynamics are shaping decisions inside Maximos:
- Public opinion is divided: sympathy for farmers’ struggles coexists with fatigue over prolonged mobilizations.
- The opposition is watching closely, ready to capitalize if the government appears rigid or detached.
- The holiday period raises the stakes, as economic disruption now has amplified symbolic weight.
Government insiders concede that some form of political gesture may be required — not necessarily a full concession, but a clear, measurable move that allows both sides to claim progress.
A Narrow Exit Window
The government’s strategy is clear: keep dialogue open, avoid confrontation, protect the economy, and stay within European limits. What remains unclear is whether this strategy can succeed without recalibration.
Because if the farmers’ mobilization continues without a visible breakthrough, the issue risks transforming from a sectoral dispute into a broader narrative of political inflexibility.
And in politics, perception often matters more than balance.
The coming days will show whether the Maximos Mansion can turn its tightrope walk into a controlled landing — or whether the agricultural front will remain an open wound well into the new year.
Source: pagenews.gr