Farmers across Greece are escalating their protests against rising costs and economic hardship, with the possibility of bringing their tractors back to Syntagma Square looming large.
Farmers from the Karditsa blockade, one of the most prominent protest sites, are voicing their frustration, stating, “We are being wiped out, and it hurts.”
Demonstrations continue across the country, with nearly 30 blockades set up from Evros in the north to Chania in the south. The largest and most determined protests are centred in Thessaly, where six major blockades have been established, supported by more than 1,000 tractors. In Karditsa alone, over 700 tractors are stationed along the E65 highway, demonstrating the farmers’ commitment to their cause.
Escalation Plans Underway
As the protests gain momentum, farmers are considering further action. According to representatives speaking to OT, a national meeting of blockades will be held next week to determine the movement’s next steps. Among the possibilities being discussed is the return of tractors to Syntagma Square in Athens, a powerful symbolic move that has been used in past demonstrations.
“It is possible that you will see tractors again this year at Syntagma. Everything is on the table,” farmers say, signaling their determination to continue the fight for better conditions.
Growing Discontent in Thessaly
Ahead of the nationwide meeting, farmers and ranchers are staging a series of smaller protests, including road blockades, rallies, and toll station occupations. Notable actions include:
- A major protest in Karditsa on Wednesday, January 29, at 7 p.m.
- Demonstrations outside DEDDIE offices on Friday, January 31, at 11 a.m., in response to soaring electricity costs.
- A motorised march in Trikala on Thursday, January 30, at 11 a.m.
- A rally by Larissa farmers on Friday, January 31, at 7 p.m.
- A toll station opening on national highways on Saturday, February 1.
- A pan-Thessalian mobilisation on Monday, February 3, at the Thessaly Region headquarters.
Farmers: “They Want Us Gone”
The protests stem from deep financial strain in the agricultural sector. Kostas Tzellas, president of the United Federation of Agricultural Associations of Karditsa (EOASK), paints a bleak picture. “There is not a single farmer in Thessaly, or anywhere else in Greece, who has not fallen into debt this year. Production has dropped, prices are low, and costs are unbearable.”
The sense of desperation is fueling widespread mobilization. “People now understand—they want us gone, and that hurts,” Tzellas asserts. “Every time the prime minister or government officials talk about the future of Thessaly, they exclude us farmers. We are fighting for our survival.”
Beyond the immediate financial concerns, Tzellas emphasises that the crisis in the agricultural sector is a broader social issue. “This is about more than money. We need to ensure future generations inherit a country that can produce its own food. It’s time to prioritise human needs over corporate profits.”
As tensions rise and farmers stand their ground, all eyes are on the Greek government to see how it will respond to one of the most significant agricultural protests in recent years.
(Source: In.gr)