Farmers and livestock breeders continue their protests with blockades of national highways also on Tuesday, as the government do not seem eager to fulfill their demands in subsidies payments as soon as they protesters would like to.
Initially, the government had promised to pay them the delayed subsidies on October 30, then on November 30 and now on December 30. Protesters say that they won’t withdraw unless the money is on their bank accounts.
Following their announcements to block customs and ports, farmers from the municipality of Paionia and the wider area once again blocked the Evzoni border crossing on Tuesday at noon, both in the lanes entering Greece and in the lanes exiting toward North Macedonia. At the same time, farmers from north-eastern Greece have announced to block the Kipoi border with Turkey as of Tuesday evening.
These moves take place despite the government’s very clear message that blockades of customs and ports will not be allowed for reasons of national security.
Yesterday Monday at 18:00, farmers had initially blocked entry to Greece only for trucks and then proceeded to a complete blockade, which they lifted at midnight.
More than 150 tractors and farm vehicles have gathered at the site, and the farmers’ blockade is continuously growing.
At the Malgara tolls, the lane of the National Highway toward Athens remains closed, while in the lane toward Thessaloniki traffic is moving normally.
More than 5,000 tractors are reportedly on the roads in central and northern Greece on Tuesday as more farmers and breeders joined the mobilization since Sunday.
Farmers and breeders around Larissa, Thessaloniki, Evros and Karditsa are leading the protests, while their colleagues in western Greece are about to join them.
Protesters on the island of Crete plan blockades at ports and airports on upcoming Monday, December 8, almost at the same time as blockades are planned at the port of Volos.
They are determined to continue and spend even the Christmas festivities on the roads.
Road blocks are being opened to traffic on and off for one or two hours, however, delays for motorists including truck drivers cannot be avoided.
Well, it is not good for Greece but I can understand the poor farmers and breeders! The promises from the gouvernment has been broken twice, what says that the promises wont be broken again?? It is their right to receive the subsidieries now, as promised!!!