The government is attempting to gradually defuse the tension prevailing in the regions with increasing farmer blockades, keeping the confrontation tones low. At the Maximos Mansion, they refer to the competent Ministry of Rural Development and Food for unconditional dialogue, but with three prerequisites: Farmers must approach in an organized manner rather than as a movement, have specific representation that expresses the whole or at least the large majority of the farming community, and formulate specific demands on which the discussion will be based.
There is no expectation of immediate de-escalation, however the continuation of payments is estimated to show both the government’s intentions and the solutions it provides to the given problems of the primary sector. “The flow of payments to our farmers from OPEKEPE is normalizing every week and we are trying to pay another €1.2 billion by December 31, reaching a total of €3.7 billion this year from €3.1 in 2024. They will receive, that is, €600 million more this year,” wrote Kyriakos Mitsotakis in his established Sunday Facebook post, subsequently setting the tone for a mild approach towards the escalating reactions and mobilizations.
“I understand the dissatisfaction caused by the delays, however it was a very difficult exercise, as there was a serious possibility that the distribution of Community resources would be interrupted by the European Commission, something we avoided by creating a reliable and fairer system that now bears the EU seal,” he characteristically noted.
It is also clear that the government is attempting to distinguish between people in the primary sector who neither steal nor deceive and those who received subsidies and support without being entitled to them, emphasizing, as Mr. Mitsotakis did in his post, that “honest farmers and livestock breeders, who are the overwhelming majority, have nothing to fear. Whatever money they are entitled to, they will receive in full. However, we must put an end to a problematic subsidy collection regime that favored opportunists.”
It is worth noting that in the same context of mild approach and appeasement, the Prime Minister noted that “farmers have every right to demand more and better. But solutions come through dialogue. Extreme forms of protest, such as blockades, may express pressure, but ultimately complicate everyone’s daily life and do not help us move faster.” In any case, the government’s intention is to discuss with farmers and not with former prime ministers Kostas Karamanlis and Antonis Samaras, for whom there was no comment or reaction yesterday, despite the criticism they exercised on the agricultural issue.
Details about all types of pending payments were given by Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Thanasis Kontogeorgis, who pointed out (on SKAI) that there are 2,000 tax numbers blocked by the Financial Police and another 44,000 tax numbers for which a cross-checking procedure was required. For this second category, he mentioned that cross-checks are being completed and “most will be paid.” Additionally, there are 11,000 farmers who had an issue with the Property Identity Number (ATAK) mainly in Central Macedonia, where “we will find a solution there too,” as well as 13,000 livestock breeders who had issues with grazing lands. He then assured that “those who did not receive an advance will get everything by the end of the year” while “the amount allocated to the country remains the same.” And, at the beginning of the year and after the payment of remaining schemes (ecological schemes etc.) is completed, those who are legitimate and actual beneficiaries will receive the remaining amount, he emphasized.
Regarding compensation for damages caused by Daniel, “86% of total compensation has been paid and 14% remains to be paid in the coming period,” stated Mr. Kontogeorgis, who explained that the damages were extensive and “the staff was insufficient, we gave money to the Region to quickly make the recordings.”
There are “approximately 2,800 farmers who have not been paid,” he added, but “in the coming days we will provide for the reconstruction of plant capital. It is indeed 2.5 years later, but it is €40 million, which will be given.” In conclusion, “the cycle of all compensations closes and, together, at the end of this year for the first time ELGA will pay all damages that occurred in 2025. I’m not saying the situation is ideal, but the payments will be made,” as he stated.
