Farmers to Maximo 13/1 — Mitsotakis invites dialogue, but blockades refuse to stand down!

Mitsotakis’ New Invitation

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has invited farmers to the Maximos Mansion on January 13, aiming for a “real dialogue”, according to government officials.

• The invitation calls for proportional representation of all farmer blocs, so the meeting is not just a PR exercise but a genuine consultation.
• The government promises supportive measures, but specifics remain unclear, leaving room for criticism and suspicion.

 Farmers Divided — But Determined

Despite the invitation:

• Some blocs plan to submit written demands before attending.
• Others maintain roadblocks and 48‑hour border closures, signaling they will not back down.
• The mood is tense, with farmers calling for real responses rather than political stunts. (euronews.gr)

Para‑Political Implications

The Mitsotakis invitation is far from neutral:

• The government presents it as a responsible step toward dialogue, but analysts see it as image‑management ahead of elections.
• The opposition calls it superficial, arguing that actual measures and subsidies remain delayed.
• Para‑politically, local actors, unions, and electoral considerations are deeply intertwined.

 Social & Economic Context

The protests emerged due to:

• Rising production costs,
• Delays in subsidies,
• Uncertainty from imports and trade agreements,
• And a feeling that the government doesn’t fully understand farmers’ challenges.

Farmers demand:

• Stable income,
• Sustainable agricultural policy,
• Effective support measures.

 Behind the Scenes: Para‑Political Reading

• The government attempts to move the conflict from roads to the Prime Minister’s office, to appear responsible and conciliatory.
• The opposition and farmer blocs see the invitation as a political ultimatum, with no guarantees of meaningful solutions.
• There is a strong para‑political dimension, linking local interests, electoral strategy, and national political image.

The January 13 meeting may open a dialogue, but:

• Farmers have not relented on their core demands.
• Government moves are closely watched by analysts and opposition, as a test of crisis management ahead of elections.

The crisis in the primary sector is not just economic — it is a para‑political power game, where every step is analyzed in terms of political strategy.