The meeting of the Nationwide Coordinating Committee of Blockades in Palamas, Karditsa on Wednesday afternoon (14/1) appears to have given the “green light” for dialogue between farmers and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, as announced by Rizos Maroudas, president of the Unifying Federation of Agricultural Associations of Larissa Prefecture. It’s worth noting that the government had previously proposed dialogue with representatives of the farmers participating in the blockades, though no date had been specified.
The proposal includes forming a committee of 25 representatives with 5 observers, under the condition that roads remain open during the negotiations. According to ERT, two proposals were submitted during the meeting: the first envisioned participating in dialogue while simultaneously holding a rally in Athens, while the second involved attending the dialogue without mobilizations. Ultimately, the second proposal prevailed.
This decision signals the farmers’ intention to proceed with institutional discussions with the government, without holding a rally, while awaiting the official invitation and scheduling of the meeting with the Prime Minister. It’s now just a matter of time before the day and time of the meeting is set.
During the meeting, farmers evaluated what Kyriakos Mitsotakis told their colleagues yesterday in order to determine their stance for the coming period. However, it’s worth mentioning that the government had set keeping roads open as a basic precondition.
Farmers: “There will be no escalation, but the blockades won’t leave”
The farmers appear unwavering regarding the presence of blockades, making it clear that “there will be no escalation, but the blockades won’t leave.” Characteristic is the position of the E-65 blockade, which supports dialogue while demanding it take place with public participation through organizing a rally in Athens and without dissolving the mobilizations.
Nevertheless, according to onlarissa.gr, livestock farmers, beekeepers, and fishermen of the Nationwide Committee are requesting a separate meeting rather than a joint one with those who have different positions. As a result, either the possibility of both meetings taking place on the same day, one after the other, or the second committee meeting the Prime Minister the following day remains on the table.
