Greek farmers have blocked major roads with tractors, splitting the country’s main north-south highway in protest against rising production costs, low prices, and delayed government payments. Three were hurt during subsequent violence.
The demonstrations follow last week’s arrests in a farm fraud case involving illegal subsidies distributed by OPEKEPE, the agency responsible for European Union farm funds.
Investigations revealed 324 recipients received €19.6 million in unlawful subsidies, according to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Farmers have reinforced blockades on the Athens-Thessaloniki motorway and plan further actions in Trikala and eastern Thessaloniki if their demands are not met.
The protest on Sunday, November 30th, already saw clashes with riot police in Larissa, leaving two farmers and two officers injured—with three arrests made. Authorities are diverting traffic but demonstrations are expected to continue across Greece until at least December 5.
To date, months and months of European Commission efforts to pacify farmers with minor concessions have proven unsuccessful.
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