The government will move in the coming days with a “carrot and stick” approach toward farmers—especially farm union leaders who are spearheading the road blockades—given the decision by the coordinating body of the blockades to further escalate mobilizations immediately after Epiphany.

More specifically, in the coming days—possibly starting today in some form—the government will detail the positive measures being launched to address the real problems of the primary sector, while at the same time preparing Plan B, which involves hardening its stance if farmers carry out their threat to “cut Greece in half” and besiege ports and customs offices on Thursday and Friday.

Yesterday afternoon, a broad meeting took place at the Maximos Mansion under Kyriakos Mitsotakis—originally scheduled for this morning—focused on the interventions being planned for farmers and livestock breeders. Among those present were Vice President of the Government Kostis Hatzidakis, Minister of Rural Development Kostas Tsiaras, deputy ministers and relevant general secretaries of the ministry, OPEKEPE Governor Giannis Kavadias, AADE Governor Giorgos Pitsilis, PPC Chairman and CEO Giorgos Stassis, among others.

During the discussion, all options were examined regarding cheaper agricultural electricity—close to €0.08 per kWh—the mechanism for tax-free diesel at the pump, the additional €160 million subsidy for loss of income and livestock capital, 100% ELGA compensation for insured damages, and more. The government’s message is that, despite the mobilizations, the positive measures intended for producers will be implemented, as failure to do so would be unfair to the large majority who are not out on the roads.

The End of Tolerance

In theory, a window for dialogue still exists, insofar as farmers have said they will escalate after Epiphany. In practice, however, the prospect of a meeting now seems like science fiction. Within the government camp, there is a unified view that the margins for dialogue and goodwill have been exhausted, since the farm union leaders behind the blockades refuse in every possible way to attend a meeting with the government and with the prime minister himself.

“We will not keep begging them; we are now under serious pressure from other social groups as well,” a senior government source tells protothema.gr. To this end, a new meeting in a tighter circle is expected today, with the participation of Mr. Tsiaras and Minister for Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis, focusing on operational planning.

Farmers have announced a nationwide “lockout” on Thursday and Friday, including the closure of alternative roads. The government is now in a difficult position, as continuing to allow these mobilizations would mean accumulating further political damage from other social groups as well. Accordingly, Plan B has been taken out of the drawer, which includes administrative fines for tractors on the roads, among other measures—though these may not be the only steps employed.

Competent sources note that the overall approach will now change, while government officials in their public statements will distinguish between farmers and farm union leaders. After all, it is a firmly held belief at the Maximos Mansion and among the involved ministers that there is political and party-driven motivation behind the prolongation of the blockades.