The year that ends today finds the government still “entangled” in managing the farmers’ road blockades, as it persists with a continuous call for dialogue—one that the farmers’ union leaders reject, replying that they lack guarantees that the dialogue will not be merely pro forma. A crucial factor in whether the Maximos Mansion will stick to Plan A, namely dialogue with the farmers, or activate Plan B—which includes administrative fines and measures against farmers who occupy public space—will be the nationwide meeting of producers at midday next Sunday in Malgara, Thessaloniki.

At the doorstep lies a crossroads. Either the farmers will also soften their stance and some form of dialogue with the government will be set in motion, or the line of the “hardliners” for further escalation will prevail, leaving the government with no choice but to proceed with a different mindset as well. This is something government officials clarify that Mr. Mitsotakis does not wish, despite related recommendations from his aides at the “morning coffee,” but there may no longer be any other option if the farmers once again play the card of escalation.

Messages from Chrysochoidis and Marinakis

Two key ministers made it clear yesterday how the government could respond differently compared with today. The Minister for Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis (SKAI), acknowledged that the government chose not to exercise lawful force against illegal acts such as road occupations, but clarified that “there is the possibility of enforcing the law, a series of provisions, or even drafting new provisions.” “Plan B should involve more sanctions and consequences for those who, while being asked for dialogue for the benefit of all farmers, refuse dialogue,” stressed government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis (parapolitika.gr), making clear that the government represents not only farmers but also those who are being inconvenienced when trying to travel.

The option of administrative fines for tractor owners is on the table, since—as protothema.gr has reported since yesterday—all have been identified, even if they have removed their license plates. “We are not there yet, but the alternatives in the government’s drawer exist if the phenomenon continues,” government sources say.

Fire at the intransigent

At the same time, government officials—as well as ND MPs who see farmers visiting their constituency offices with straw and manure—are beginning to speak more openly about certain intransigent farmer unionists and attribute political motives to them.

“There are people with fair and reasonable demands, with whom we stand together. Alongside them, however, others have infiltrated whose party is over,” government sources say. Trikala MP Katerina Papakosta came down from her office and spoke with farmers who came to her door, urging them to engage in dialogue. Euripidis Stylianidis, who has repeatedly raised farmers’ issues with the central government, also hinted at farmer unionists aligned with parties of the Left, with Kyriakos Velopoulos’s Greek Solution, as well as with Afroditi Latinopoulou, attributing to them responsibility for the activism at his political office in Komotini.