Farmers at a Crossroads — Critical Weekend for Escalation of Protests

Greek farmers continue ongoing protests with roadblocks at key national roads, stating that they have not received specific guarantees from the government to meet their demands, mainly regarding delayed subsidies and rising production costs.

Despite thousands of tractors and farming vehicles being positioned on main routes like the E65 highway, traffic has not been completely halted — one or two lanes remain open to allow Christmas travelers to move safely.

Farmers spent the holidays at the roadblocks, creating improvised festive gatherings, lighting fires, and celebrating with their families on national roads, sending a message of determination and unity.

Key Weekend for Escalation or Restructuring

The major meeting is scheduled for Saturday at 12:00 PM at the Nikaia roadblock, where farmers will gather to discuss and coordinate actions. Nikaia is considered the “barometer” of the movement, as it is one of the largest and most active roadblocks in the country.

This meeting will serve as a precursor to the nationwide assembly expected by Sunday, where decisions will be made on possible escalation of protests — potentially with more dynamic roadblocks starting Monday, if farmers feel that clear answers have not been provided.

Farmers emphasize that “nothing is certain and everything can change,” depending on the conclusions of the nationwide meeting.

Current Status of Roadblocks and Government Position

At major locations such as Malgara, tolls remain open, and traffic flows without major disruptions, while overall travel during the holidays has been limited.

The government maintains that 16 out of 27 farmers’ demands have been addressed, 4 are under review, and 7 cannot be met. However, farmers insist that clearer commitments and substantive dialogue are necessary to adjust or suspend their actions.

Background of the Protests

This year’s protests began in late November, with tractor gatherings and blockages of key roadways, including sections of the national network, and targeted actions at border crossings and commercial hubs. The protests focus on delays in EU and state subsidies, high production costs, livestock and crop challenges, and overall farm viability.

In some cases, protests included symbolic distribution of farm products to passing drivers, as a gesture of apology for inconvenience and solidarity with the public.

What’s Next

The main question for the coming days is how farmers will decide at the nationwide meeting on Sunday:

• Will they escalate with more intensive blockages and actions?
• Or will they maintain a prolonged but symbolic presence, without full traffic stoppage?

All of this will be clarified over the weekend, making this critical weekend decisive for the future of agricultural protests in Greece.

Source: pagenews.gr