Farmers remain at road blockades, having closed major points of the road network yesterday. They are determined to stay on the roads through Christmas, as—for now at least—the conditions for dialogue with the government are not in place. However, they have committed to keeping roads open to allow the smooth passage of holiday travelers, while toll barriers near the blockades will be lifted today and tomorrow.

At the same time, farmers are sending a clear message that they will not enter talks without concrete commitments regarding their demands. The government responds that 20 out of 27 demands have already been met or are in the process of being addressed.

Nikaia Junction: Toll Barriers Lifted from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On Saturday, farmers from the Nikaia blockade will lift the toll barriers at Makrychori from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., a move that will be repeated on Sunday. Farmers plan to distribute agricultural products to passing drivers, aiming to demonstrate—according to them—that their products are sold at low prices.

Yesterday, following a symbolic road closure that began at 4 p.m. Friday and lasted until 7 p.m., during which long queues of trucks and private vehicles formed, all detour roads in the area are now open and will remain so over the weekend.

Siatista, Kozani: Blockade Reinforced

The Siatista blockade has been reinforced with 200 tractors, with traffic diverted via alternative routes. Yesterday at noon, both the Egnatia Motorway and the National Road were closed for two hours, resulting in kilometer-long queues of trucks. Meanwhile, vehicle movement to and from Ioannina, Kozani, and Thessaloniki continued normally.

Farmers at the Siatista blockade have decided to open toll booths not only at Xerolimni and the Siatista junction, but also at the Polymylos tolls, where traffic volume is highest.

For Monday, they have decided on a 24-hour—or longer—ban on trucks and commercial vehicles, with the road again closing for two hours.

They emphasize their determination to remain at the blockades, stating that holiday travel will be facilitated, but warning that after Christmas they may proceed with broader shutdowns, in coordination with their national coordinating body.

Malgara: Both Directions Closed

At Malgara, both traffic directions are now closed. From 7:30 p.m. Friday, the lane toward Thessaloniki was also shut to all vehicles. It had previously reopened for two hours due to closures at the Chalkidona junction on the old Thessaloniki–Edessa National Road, in order to avoid traffic congestion.

This plan will remain in place until Tuesday, when roads will reopen to accommodate Christmas travelers.

The Evzonoi border crossing remains closed for four hours daily (6–10 p.m.) until Christmas Eve.

At Derveni, farmers will participate in hour-long daily closures, while on Saturday they will carry out an action at Oreokastro tolls, lifting the barriers from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Farmers at the “Green Traffic Lights” have decided to stay at the blockade and spend Christmas there, without proceeding to a shutdown of the Thermi junction.

Chaliki, Aetolia-Acarnania: Two Hard Blockades

At Chaliki in Aetolia-Acarnania, Western Greece is effectively split in two, with immovable blockades on both the Ionia Odos and Olympia Odos motorways.

On Friday night, the detour via the old Antirrio–Ioannina National Road was opened, but farmers and livestock breeders later closed this route as well, bringing tractors from Angelokastro.

They state they will continue their actions throughout the holidays, while keeping toll booths open.

Another hard blockade remains on the Olympia Odos. According to ERTnews, farmers and livestock breeders are expected to take an action today in support of citizens.

Chalkida: Blockade at the High Bridge

Farmers in Evia closed the road at the High Bridge yesterday at 7 p.m. for three hours and, for the first time, also shut down detour routes.

On Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m., they will repeat the same pattern. On Sunday, in coordination with farmers from Central Greece, they plan to go to the Aphidnes tolls, where they will lift the barriers to allow free passage.

For Monday and Tuesday, new protests of longer duration are planned, including the closure of all detour routes around the High Bridge of Chalkida.

Nikaia Farmers Block Platykampos Junction

Shortly after 4 p.m. on Friday, tractors and farmers from the Nikaia blockade reached the Platykampos junction and blocked traffic until evening. Another blockade occurred a few kilometers away on the old Larissa–Volos National Road near Achilleio.

On Saturday, an intervention is planned at the Evangelismos tolls, where barriers will be lifted as part of the protest. On Tuesday, the previously announced measures to facilitate holiday travelers will be implemented.

Thebes: Farmers Remain Firm at the Blockades

Tractors remain lined up on the National Road in the Thebes area, while detour routes stay open.

The National Road is closed from the Ritsona junction toward Lamia, and from the Martino junction toward Athens. Vehicles transporting students are allowed to pass freely.

Samos: Farmers Lift Blockade at Kokkari Junction – New Meeting to Decide Next Steps

Shortly after 9 p.m. on Friday (19/12), the road reopened after being closed since 3 p.m., with brief intervals allowing vehicle passage. The Pan-Samos Farmers’ Association had set up the blockade at the Kokkari junction with participation from farmers across the island. The protest was supported by the Labor Center and members of teachers’ associations.

The association will meet in the coming days to determine its next course of action.