Farmer protests are in full swing across Greece, with tractors and harvesting machines blocking strategic points of the road network and border stations. Despite government assurances that it has responded to a significant number of demands, farmers continue their protests, demanding further support measures. The government clarifies that it cannot exceed the European and fiscal frameworks governing agricultural policy.
Government response to farmer demands
According to official data, of the 27 total demands submitted by farmers’ associations, 16 have already been examined favorably or fully satisfied. Four additional demands are under negotiation and processing by the relevant ministries. However, seven demands cannot be implemented, as they conflict with the fundamental rules of the Common Agricultural Policy or are deemed fiscally unfeasible under current conditions.
Thessaly: Roads and junctions closed by tractors
On Friday afternoon, Thessaly farmers proceeded with a three-hour blockade of the bypass road connecting Larissa with surrounding areas, using agricultural machinery. The Platykampos junction remains closed, while on the old Larissa-Volos National Road, tractors disrupt traffic both at the junction and at the Achilleion level. Greek Police have deployed in the area, directing vehicles to alternative routes to ensure smooth traffic flow.
Promachon: Kilometer-long queues at the border
At the Promachon border station, farmers resumed the blockade from Friday afternoon, creating huge queues of international transport trucks. On Greek territory, the vehicle queue exceeds five kilometers. The protesters have not announced a specific time for lifting the blockade, creating serious problems for freight transport.
Escalation at Bralos and Evia
Farmers from the Bralos blockade blocked the bypass road at the 175th kilometer leading from Lamia to Thebes and Livadeia, causing large queues on the Ritsona bypass. According to information, at 18:00 Chalkida farmers scheduled a three-hour closure of both the high and old bridges, completely cutting off Evia from mainland Greece.
Alternative routes to avoid blockades
Traffic police have announced detailed traffic arrangements to avoid farmer blockades. Vehicles traveling on the ATE highway toward Athens are diverted at the Anthili semi-junction and through the side road enter the Provincial Road of Irakleia-Damasta. From there, through Kato Damasta, they reach the National Road of Thermopylae-Itea and then to the Lamia-Livadeia highway, to return to the motorway via the Ritsona interchange.
Vehicles traveling on the E65 highway toward Athens are diverted at the Kommatos junction toward ATE in the direction of Thessaloniki, and then at the Roditsa junction toward Lamia. Through the Serdari junction they head to the side road and follow the aforementioned route. Freight vehicles park temporarily at service stations following traffic officers’ instructions.
For the opposite direction toward Thessaloniki, vehicles are diverted at the Skarfeia semi-junction and through the provincial roads of Komnina-Regkiniou and Atalanti-Exarchou enter the Lamia-Livadeia highway. Subsequently, through the Thermopylae-Itea National Road and the Athens-Lamia highway, they return to the motorway via the Kommatos junction.
Escalation decisions from the general assembly
Participants in the Lefkonas Serres assembly decided to escalate mobilizations, giving autonomy to each blockade to determine the duration of closures based on their capabilities. The Bralos blockade decided to close side roads on Friday from 14:00 to 17:00. Similar decisions were made by other national highway blockades, including the central Nikaia blockade and two major Boeotia blockades in Kastro and Thebes.
Weekend and holiday scheduling
For Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 December, the general assembly of blockades decided to open the toll stations, facilitating holiday travel. The hours and exact day of opening will be determined by each blockade separately. The goal is to repeat the three-hour closure of side roads on Monday 22 December. Subsequently, in coordination with police, the main blockades will also open for three days, providing two traffic lanes to facilitate holiday travelers’ movement during Christmas.
