€1 Billion for Farmers by June: Hatzidakis Signals Support Amid Political Maneuvering

Amid mounting pressures on Greece’s agricultural sector and ongoing political maneuvering in the regions, Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis announced that up to €1 billion will be distributed to farmers by the end of June, signaling strong government support for the primary sector.

The announcement came during the 3rd pre-conference of New Democracy in Larissa, where the government sought to showcase its strategy for modernizing agricultural subsidies and supporting Thessaly’s recovery after recent disasters.

The Payment Package and Subsidy Reform

According to Hatzidakis, between €800 million and €1 billion will reach farmers in the coming months under a new payments mechanism.

This reform is linked to the transfer of OPEKEPE (Greek Payment Authority for Farmers) functions to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), a move the government claims will ensure greater transparency and better targeting of subsidies.

“We want to support the real Greek producer,” Hatzidakis emphasized, highlighting that the new system prioritizes farmers who actively produce rather than passive claimants.

A Political Message to Thessaly

Choosing Larissa for the announcement was no coincidence. Thessaly is a strategic region economically and politically, still recovering from recent floods and agricultural disruptions.

Hatzidakis detailed that the government has already injected around €2.3 billion for restoration and support, including state aid, compensation, and infrastructure projects.

Additional measures include:

• Restoration of rail and road networks
• Large-scale irrigation projects
• Water management infrastructure

All aiming at the reconstruction and modernization of agricultural production.

Beyond economics, the announcement carries strong political undertones.

The government aims to reconnect with rural constituencies after recent protests in multiple regions. Officials believe that timely payments can ease discontent and reinforce the government’s support base.

The reform also serves as a signal of agricultural modernization, emphasizing:

• Viable, larger-scale farms
• Cooperative structures for producers
• Adaptation to climate change
• Attraction of young farmers

The Government’s Political Stake

Agricultural policy is becoming one of the government’s key arenas for the coming months.

Delivering payments by summer is seen as crucial to demonstrate that the new system works and that farmers will actually benefit from subsidies.

Government insiders note the dual stakes:

• Restore trust among farmers
• Promote agriculture as a pillar of national economic development

Whether these measures translate into political capital will depend on the speed and efficiency of fund disbursement, as observers stress in rural communities.

Source: pagenews.gr