Determined to continue and intensify their mobilizations, farmers appear determined to continue and intensify their protests, who say they will also spend New Year’s Eve at the blockades, proceeding with new blockades of key roads. As of 12:00 noon, the current of the National Road towards Athens will be closed indefinitely at the main blockade of Malgara, while traffic towards Thessaloniki will continue as normal.

At the same time, as part of the escalation, farmers have planned blockades at the customs offices of Evzona and Promachona, while a new three-hour blockade at the Chalkidona junction has been announced for today in the afternoon. Decisions are being taken through successive meetings at the blockades, with producers saying they will not back down unless there are specific commitments.

At the same time, the air bridge in Nikaia is expected to be closed on Saturday, while in Larissa, traffic diversion will be implemented at the height of Platykambos. The air bridge, which was temporarily opened to traffic and significantly facilitated the passage of vehicles, will be closed again and, according to the pla,n will be reopened on New Year’s Eve.

Farmers make it clear that they will also proceed with the blocking of bypass roads on Monday, but there will be intervals of opening to facilitate the movement of excursionists. On New Year’s Day, traffic will follow the same regime as at Christmas, with vehicles from Thessaloniki to Athens being diverted via the old National Road and returning to the motorway at the junction of Killeler.

Malgara and Chalkidona are at the centre of the mobilisations

In Malgara, on Saturday at 12:00, farmers will proceed with an indefinite closure of the road to Athens, while at the same time, new actions are planned by the other blockades of Thessaloniki. On the contrary, traffic towards Thessaloniki will remain open.

In Chalkidona, a symbolic blockade of the junction on the old National Road Thessaloniki – Edessa has been planned after 15:00, lasting two to three hours. At the same time, a meeting of farmers has been scheduled in Derveni and in the Green Lanterns, while at 12:00, a temporary closure will take place at the customs office of Evzona.

The farmers call on the residents of Thessaloniki to meet on Sunday at the blockades, in order to exchange wishes and express their support.

“We will not back down unless solutions are provided.”

After the end of the festive period, the farmers announced a further hardening of their stance, leaving open even the possibility of blocking bypass roads and ports. On Sunday and Monday, symbolic actions are planned in Nice, while from Tuesday they will return to the regime of facilitating New Year’s Day excursions.

The president of the Unitarian Federation of Rural Associations of Larissa, Rizos Maroudas, warned that “we will put pressure on the government in the coming days to provide solutions. If the chronic problems are not addressed, we will not back down.”

The farmers make it clear that they will enter into dialogue with the government only if there are substantial answers to their demands. On the part of the Ministry of Rural Development, it is noted that of the 27 demands, 20 have either been met or are being processed, while interventions for cheaper electricity and a refund of the Excise Duty on oil at the pump are planned.

At the same time, farmers from all over Western Macedonia remain at the blockades and plan new mobilizations in the coming days.

New Year’s Eve on the highways

Blockades remain in place across the country, with thousands of tractors lined up on highways. On the E65 motorway, farmers say there are around 3,000 tractors, but traffic has not been disrupted as one or two lanes remain open.

Despite the difficulties, farmers spent the holidays at the blockades, setting up makeshift festive tables and lighting bonfires, sending a message that their struggle will continue through the holidays.