Greek police fired tear gas on Monday to disperse protesting farmers on the island of Crete, as demonstrations over delayed European Union subsidies turned violent. The farmers, who have been blocking roads, border crossings, and even airports, hurled stones at officers attempting to clear access to Heraklion Airport, state broadcaster ERT reported.
The protests stem from EU subsidy delays linked to corruption investigations. European prosecutors alleged in February that thousands of farmers, aided by state employees, had falsified land and livestock ownership to obtain EU funds. In response, Greece’s centre-right government has pledged to reform OPEKEPE, the agency handling the subsidies, and has launched investigations into farmer applications and tax records.
More than 40,000 farmer applications are currently under inspection, the government confirmed. While it has committed to distributing €3.7 billion ($4.3 billion) to farmers this year, it acknowledged payment delays. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis urged farmers to end the demonstrations, stating, “The government is open for dialogue.”
Local media reported that thousands of trucks are participating in at least 20 separate blockades across the country. In the north, farmers disrupted traffic at the Promachonas and Kipi border crossings with Bulgaria and Turkey, with only trucks carrying sensitive goods allowed through. Roadblocks were also set up in southwestern and central Greece, with farmers threatening to block the port of Volos this week.
On Crete, protesters also attempted to block Chania Airport, damaging police vehicles. Airport operations at Heraklion were suspended from 1200 GMT, with officials saying protesters had entered flight corridors. The rallies, which began last month, have escalated as farmers demand immediate payment of subsidies amid the ongoing investigations.
