Greek Farmers Escalate Protests, Reject Government Talks Amid Subsidy Scandal

Farmers Intensify Nationwide Blockades

Greek farmers have intensified their protests, now entering their third week, by rejecting a government invitation for dialogue and vowing further escalation. The nationwide demonstrations, which began in late November 2025, have led to significant disruptions across Greece, including blockades of major highways, border crossings, ports, and even airports.

On Saturday, December 13, 2025, farmer representatives convened in Nikaia, near Larissa, and collectively decided to decline an invitation from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for talks scheduled for Monday. Farmers stated they would first submit a comprehensive list of demands and would only engage in discussions after receiving concrete government responses.

Core Grievances: Delayed Subsidies and Corruption Probe

The protests were primarily triggered by substantial delays in European Union subsidy payments, estimated to be a shortfall of approximately €600 million. These delays are a direct consequence of an ongoing corruption investigation into Greece's agricultural payments agency, OPEKEPE.

The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) has uncovered evidence of systematic, large-scale subsidy fraud and money laundering, with some farmers allegedly faking land and livestock ownership to claim EU funds. Greek officials report that over €30 million in false claims were made, leading to 37 arrests in 2025 and the resignation of a minister and five senior officials in June. Currently, more than 40,000 farmer applications are under inspection.

Farmers' Extensive Demands

Beyond the immediate issue of delayed subsidies, farmers are pressing for a wide array of demands, including:

• State support to offset rising production costs.
• Compensation for losses due to livestock diseases, particularly a sheep pox outbreak that resulted in the culling of over 400,000 sheep and goats.
• Compensation for weather-related damages.
• Addressing long-standing structural problems within the agricultural sector.
• Implementation of minimum guaranteed prices for agricultural products.
• Reduced electricity costs, specifically 7 cents per kilowatt-hour.
• Rejection of the government's plan to transfer OPEKEPE's responsibilities to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE).
• The return of misappropriated funds from the corruption scandal to legitimate beneficiaries.
• Reforms to the ELGA (Greek Agricultural Insurance Organization) regulation to ensure 100% compensation for natural risks and diseases.

Government Stance and Public Reaction

The government, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has acknowledged the payment delays and pledged to disburse substantial funds by the end of December, emphasizing adherence to EU regulations. However, Mitsotakis has also warned that the farmers' demands must consider the broader societal disruption caused by the blockades. Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food Christos Kellas noted that farmers received €100 million less at an earlier stage due to the ongoing fraud investigation.

Public opinion surveys indicate that approximately three out of four Greeks view the farmers' demands as legitimate. However, opinions are divided regarding the use of roadblocks, with roughly half supporting the tactic and the other half opposing it due to the significant impact on daily life, travel, and trade, particularly as the protests extend into the Christmas period. The blockades have caused economic disruptions, with international carriers reportedly losing over €100 per truck per day. Clashes between protesting farmers and police have also occurred, notably in Nikaia and at Heraklion Airport on Crete, where tear gas was deployed.