Angry Greek farmers converge on parliament with tractors in overnight protest rally

ATHENS, Greece — Thousands of frustrated farmers from all corners of Greece gathered in central Athens on Friday, driving numerous tractors to parliament with horns blaring, for an overnight demonstration to voice their grievances about the government’s perceived inaction on issues endangering their farming livelihoods.

Police cordoned off central streets in the Greek capital and escorted the tractor convoy through the city center as it headed towards central Syntagma Square in front of the parliament building, a traditional rallying point for protests in Greece.

Farmers have been staging protests for several months over the high costs of production, low prices for their goods, and delays in receiving subsidies backed by the European Union.

The delays in subsidy payments came after authorities launched a review of all applications following allegations of widespread fraud in EU farm subsidies. Demonstrators argued that the delays were unjust punishment, leaving honest farmers in debt and unable to prepare their fields for the upcoming season.

Livestock breeders, who suffered significant losses due to mass culls following an outbreak of sheep and goat pox, have also joined the protests that began in November.

Following weeks of tractor blockades causing traffic disruptions along major highways and border crossings, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with farmer representatives last month. The government offered concessions such as fuel tax rebates and reduced electricity rates.

However, despite the removal of roadblocks, farmers claim that many of their concerns remain unaddressed by the government.

“Our fight continues as our fundamental demands have not been met,” stated Rizos Maroudas, leader of a farmers’ union in the central Greek region of Larissa, in an interview with Greek state television ERT on Friday, highlighting the threat of cheap imports undermining Greek agricultural products.

He added that the government has the financial means to resolve the issues facing the farming community, but lacks the political will to do so.

In early December, farmers intensified their protests with a 48-hour blockade of major highways, toll booths, and intersections to express concerns about high production costs and the EU’s trade agreement with South American countries. The EU-Mercosur deal aims to gradually eliminate tariffs on almost all goods traded between the two blocs.

The protesters have pledged to spend the night at the rally, remaining outside parliament until Saturday.