Greek Farmers Snub Talks With Government as Protests Ease Travel but Expose Deeper Rural Strain

Greek farmers are refusing to enter formal talks with the government despite fresh appeals from Agriculture Minister Kostas Tsiaras, keeping tractors stationed along national highways and border points while selectively easing pressure during the Christmas travel period.

The standoff underscores the deepening stress in Greece’s primary sector, as producers grapple with rising costs, climate-related losses and shrinking margins, even as the government insists it is operating at the edge of its fiscal capacity.

Government seeks dialogue, farmers demand clarity

Speaking to public broadcaster ERTnews, Tsiaras rejected claims of confrontation, saying the government is seeking “substantive and productive dialogue” with farmers, not conflict.

He acknowledged that agriculture is facing “conditions of suffocation”, driven by climate change and declining price competitiveness in European and global markets, and pledged that the state would exhaust all available fiscal room to support the sector — within EU rules.

According to the ministry, 16 out of 27 farmer demands have already been examined, while four key issues remain open and under discussion.

Farmers, however, say the proposals lack specific commitments and timelines, prompting them to stay away from talks for now.

Selective easing to preserve public support

In a tactical move, farmer groups have agreed to lift toll barriers during the holiday period, allowing cars and buses to pass freely while maintaining their presence on major roads.

At several toll stations, farmers distributed free produce such as apples and olive oil and handed out leaflets explaining their demands. Most motorists passed without delays, with many expressing support for the protests.

Blockades remain active at Nikaia, Thebes, Kastro, Dervenio and Promachonas, with partial restrictions expected to continue for freight transport.

Cost pressures at the centre of the dispute

Tsiaras highlighted measures already in place to curb production costs, including:

• A fixed agricultural electricity price of €0.093 per kWh, extended for at least two more years
• Ongoing tax refunds on agricultural diesel, aimed at easing liquidity pressure
• Record-high ELGA compensation payments, with €122 million paid within a single year and nearly €2 billion covering damages over five years

The minister said ELGA now compensates 100% of insured production without raising premiums, calling it a historic shift, despite acknowledging a brief technical error in contribution deductions.

Farmers’ core demands remain unresolved

Farmer unions insist that fundamental issues remain unanswered, including:

• Full compensation for climate-related losses to crops and livestock
• Debt freezes to banks and social security funds
• Income replacement for beekeepers and livestock farmers
• Full reimbursement for culled herds due to disease

A general assembly at the Nikaia blockade is expected to determine whether protests will escalate after the holidays.

Legal pressure adds another layer of tension

In northwestern Greece, prosecutors have ordered an investigation into the lifting of toll barriers at Droschori, raising the possibility of criminal charges against participants if offenses are confirmed.

Farmer representatives warn that legal action will not halt mobilisations, which they describe as “a struggle for survival rather than protest politics.”

A structural challenge for Athens

The dispute reflects a broader dilemma for the government: balancing fiscal discipline with rural support at a time when EU budget constraints and climate volatility limit policy options.

While Athens urges talks, farmers appear determined to keep pressure on — easing disruption just enough to retain public backing, but not enough to surrender leverage.

As winter deepens, both sides face a narrowing window for compromise.

Source: pagenews.gr