In line with their announcements following yesterday’s nationwide conference in Nikaia, farmers across various regions will set up blockades today, awaiting responses from the government regarding their demands while planning a tractor rally in Athens next week.
Meanwhile, the government remains open to dialogue but emphasizes that any discussions must occur with roads remaining open.
In this vein, Minister of Rural Development Lefteris Avgenakis, in a radio interview on Wednesday morning, extended an invitation to farmers, urging a delegation from the blockade coordination to come to Athens today or tomorrow for dialogue, ensuring roads remain accessible.
“As the country’s economy improves, we are addressing longstanding issues. Our work is ongoing,” Avgenakis told SKAI radio.
Today’s Blockades
The first blockade by Central Macedonia farmers is scheduled for 1 p.m., where roads will be closed for half an hour at blockades in Malgara, Derveni, Strymonikos, Chalkidon, and Kouloura.
Two hours later, at 3 p.m., farmers in Almyros will close the Athens-Thessaloniki highway.
Following this, at 5 p.m., farmers in Thessaly plan to close roads at blockades in Platykambos (PATHE), Karditsa (E 65), and Stefanovikio (old Larissa-Volos highway), as well as at customs for large foodstuff-importing vehicles.
Lastly, from 6 p.m. and until 8 p.m., farmers will block roads in Nea Moudania.
Standby from the government
For its part, the government is taking a wait-and-see attitude with farmers escalating their mobilizations and making appointments in Athens, and does not want to make any hasty moves.
Recording the demands described yesterday by the farmers, after the meeting of the coordinating blockades, Megaro Maximou responded on all seven points with actions already initiated.
Roads as a Boundary
Despite the government’s efforts to avoid exacerbating the situation, the political challenge persists.
For Megaro Maximou , the red line is the closure of national highways, which would disrupt social peace, economic activity, and commerce.
Officials at the Maximou emphasize that they have clearly defined the limit to which protests can escalate, highlighting decisions that do not benefit the farmers themselves.
Hence, if blockade representatives attempt to close highways for an extended period, the situation will inevitably change.
The Ministry of Civil Protection has made operational preparations for such a scenario, and Michalis Chrysochoidis maintains constant communication with the Maximou building.
The government’s aim is not to escalate tensions or provoke conflicts but to convey the message that dialogue cannot occur under duress.
