The government finds farmers blocking roads against them. They are escalating their mobilizations with 77 active blockades across Greece, closing roads and occupying critical infrastructure. Clashes between farmers and police are intensifying the tension, and all signs point to the possibility of accidents if this continues. After yesterday’s confrontations in Crete that pushed tensions to the breaking point, no one can rule out serious injury to a farmer or police officer. By occupying Heraklion airport, Crete’s farmers want to send the message that they will not back down unless their demands are met.
Farmers: Their support for New Democracy in the 2023 elections
Given these circumstances, New Democracy risks breaking with one of its strongest voter bases just one year before the elections. In the parliamentary elections of May 2023, farmers voted for ND at 47.9%, leaving second-place PASOK far behind at 12.5%. Similarly, in June 2023, they again gave record-breaking support to ND with 42.9%. Their support was also decisive in the European elections for ND with 28.2%. The farmers’ support percentages for the government leave no room for analysis. The government won similarly overwhelming percentages against its political opponents in Crete, where farmers are now in harsh conflict with the government.
Just days before Christmas, de-escalation through an economic-political solution becomes the only way forward. No one at Maximos Mansion wants to imagine Christmas with blockades on national highways and farmers moving away from their political base, dissatisfied. For this exact reason, the economic team in cooperation with the Ministry of Agricultural Development has been ordered by Kyriakos Mitsotakis to find the golden mean. The goal is to sit at the table with concrete solutions, having farmer representatives on the other side with a clear list of demands.
The “window” for cheap electricity for farmers
In this direction, a window opens for cheap electricity and fuel for farmers. The Minister of Agricultural Development, Kostas Tsiaras, speaking yesterday on Action 24, noted that the possibility of providing agricultural fuel subsidies directly at the pump is being examined, while on the energy issue he emphasized that a solution is being sought with DEI to lock in lower tariffs for producers. At Maximos Mansion, they are following a double “line” – on one hand they want dialogue on a specific basis of demands with the intention to satisfy what is feasible, on the other hand they emphasize that the government will not enter negotiations under the threat of incidents and tensions.
The last thing the government would want is a deadlock with farmers. The economic impacts would be enormous, as would disruptions to Christmas travel. Moreover, entering the last non-electoral year, if farmers’ support for the blue faction is overturned, it will bring unpleasant surprises to the government camp.
