Agricultural Protests: Roadblocks Stay, De-escalation in Motion — Meeting with Mitsotakis Scheduled

Despite the government’s intention for dialogue and the preparation of a meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, farmers continue their mobilizations, particularly at the E65 in the Karditsa area, where they remain at the roadblock but keep the road open, placing tractors to the side while awaiting the official confirmation of the meeting.

In this context, the Panhellenic Committee of Roadblocks decided by majority at a meeting in Palamas, Karditsa, to give the green light for a meeting with the Prime Minister with open roads, signaling that the protests remain active but are moving toward dialogue rather than continuous blockades that disrupt national traffic.

New Phase of De-escalation but with Caution

Even though some roadblocks are easing, pressure remains at multiple locations such as E65 and other major highways, with farmers waiting for more concrete government commitments on their demands, including addressing rising production costs, delayed subsidies, and overall agricultural support.

Local reports indicate that farmers are keeping the E65 open, moving tractors to the roadside but maintaining a visible presence, while awaiting a formal invitation from Maximos Mansion to officially present their positions for next steps.

At the same time, the Panhellenic Committee’s decision to treat the meeting with the Prime Minister as an opportunity for dialogue rather than compromise shows that farmers — despite fatigue from weeks of mobilizations — remain determined to secure commitments with concrete timelines and numbers.

The Background of De-escalation

• Farmers have agreed to make open roads a condition for serious dialogue, signaling specific concessions from complete traffic obstruction.
• The government has emphasized that it will not negotiate with closed roadblocks, highlighting that discussions must respect “institutions and society’s functionality.” The mobilizations have lasted over 40 days, and farmers intend to continue until tangible government commitments are provided.

National Context and Escalation

The easing of some roadblocks does not signal a retreat from demands. Protests remain active across various regions in Greece, including E65 (Karditsa, Trikala) and other national highways, with thousands of tractors deployed to emphasize the urgent need to address primary sector challenges.

Farmers have also expressed concerns over broader issues, including the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and European policies’ impact on the sustainability of Greek agriculture — topics expected to be central in discussions with the government.

The Path to a Meeting with the Prime Minister

The official date of the meeting has not yet been finalized, with options either this Friday or next Monday, depending on the latest political developments and recommendations from the Panhellenic Committee. The approach appears to show that the government seeks dialogue, but sets the absolute condition of respecting open roads and societal functionality.

The current phase of the farmers’ mobilizations reflects a politically sensitive balance between claiming rights and negotiating with the government, with roadblocks still active but aimed at de-escalation — primarily open access and meaningful dialogue on their demands.

While political pressure continues, the prospect of a meeting with the Prime Minister is considered crucial for the next stage of the protests, aiming for clear responses and timelines to address the sector’s persistent challenges.

Source: pagenews.gr