Greek Farmers Converge on Parliament in Overnight Tractor Protest
Thousands of angry farmers from across Greece descended upon central Athens on Friday, driving dozens of tractors to the parliament building in an overnight rally. The protest, marked by blaring horns and a determined motorcade, aimed to highlight what participants describe as the government's failure to address critical issues threatening their agricultural livelihoods.
Police Escort and Central Athens Disruption
Police blocked off key streets in the Greek capital and accompanied the tractor procession as it moved through the city centre. The convoy ultimately gathered at Syntagma Square, the traditional focal point for protests in Greece, located directly in front of the parliament building. This strategic location amplified their message to lawmakers.
Core Grievances: Costs, Subsidies, and Imports
The farmers have been protesting for months, citing a triad of pressing concerns:
- High production costs that squeeze profit margins.
- Low prices received for their agricultural products.
- Significant delays in the payment of European Union-backed subsidies.
These subsidy delays stem from a review of all requests following revelations of widespread fraud claims within the EU farm subsidy system. Protesters argue that the holdup acts as collective punishment, leaving honest farmers in debt and unable to finance planting for the upcoming season.
Expanding Protest and Government Concessions
The movement has grown to include livestock breeders, whose flocks have been severely impacted by mass culls due to an outbreak of sheep and goat pox. Following weeks of disruptive tractor blockades on major highways and border crossings, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with farmer representatives last month.
The government offered a series of concessions, including fuel tax rebates and reduced electricity rates. While this led to the dismantling of roadblocks, farmers insist the core issues remain unresolved.
Unmet Demands and Political Will
"Our struggle continues, because our basic demands weren't satisfied," stated Rizos Maroudas, head of a farmers' union in the central region of Larissa, in an interview with Greek state television ERT on Friday. He highlighted that cheap imports are undermining Greek products and claimed the government has the financial capacity to help but lacks the political will.
Earlier last month, farmers escalated actions with a 48-hour blockade targeting highways, toll stations, and junctions. This protest also focused on high production costs and concerns over the EU's trade deal with South American nations (the EU-Mercosur agreement), which seeks to progressively remove duties on most goods traded between the blocs.
The protesters on Friday vowed to remain outside parliament overnight, continuing their vigil into Saturday to maintain pressure on the government.
