Greek Farmers Escalate Protests with Nationwide Roadblocks and Athens March Threat

Farmers Announce 48-Hour Highway Shutdown

Farmers in Greece are escalating their month-long protests, announcing a nationwide 48-hour shutdown of major highways and border crossings scheduled for Thursday, January 8th, and Friday, January 9th, 2026. This significant escalation, decided at a national assembly of agricultural unions in Malgara, northern Greece, aims to pressure the government to address their long-standing grievances. The protests, which began on November 30, 2025, have seen farmers maintain a presence on roadsides, with this latest move marking a critical intensification of their actions.

Key transport corridors targeted for disruption include strategic points such as Malgara, Tempi, Bralos, Siatista, Tripoli, and the Rio-Antirrio (Charilaos Trikoupis) Bridge. Freight traffic is also expected to be halted at customs checkpoints along Greece's northern borders, including Evzoni, Niki, Promachonas, Exochi, and Kipi. Organizers have also threatened a mass mobilization of tractors into the capital, Athens, if their demands are not met.

Core Demands and Grievances

The protesting farmers, representing 62 protest blocks across the country, are primarily demanding measures to alleviate soaring production costs and ensure the viability of their livelihoods. Their key demands include:

• Lower production costs, specifically through tax-free diesel fuel and a cap on agricultural electricity prices, ideally at 7-8 euro cents per kilowatt-hour.
• Increased and timely allocation of agricultural surpluses and subsidies, with concerns raised about delayed payments and alleged fraud within the Agricultural Payments Agency (OPEKEPE).
• Full compensation for lost income and insured damages to crops and livestock.
• Rejection of the proposed EU-Mercosur trade agreement, which farmers fear would expose them to unfair competition from imports produced under different regulatory standards.

Rizos Maroudas, a leader from the Nikaia blockade, emphasized that the escalation is a necessary response to the government's perceived lack of political will. Farmers insist on concrete commitments and 'written guarantees' rather than mere dialogue.

Government's Stance and Potential Measures

In response to the escalating protests, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis convened an emergency meeting with key ministers. The government has indicated a hardening stance, with officials signaling that administrative penalties and fines will be imposed if the planned road blockades proceed. Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis stated that announcements regarding measures would be made on Wednesday, with or without the farmers' presence, and that 'limits have been reached' regarding road obstruction.

The government claims to have already satisfied 16 out of 27 farmer demands, with four more under review, and announced an additional €160 million in support for farmers in December. Measures under consideration include cheaper electricity for agricultural use, diesel tax relief, and 100% compensation for insured damages. However, the government also argues that some protest groups are politically motivated and that direct dialogue has stalled due to protest leaders declining meetings. Total payments to farmers in 2025 reportedly reached €3.8 billion.

Outlook and Impact

The planned 48-hour blockades are expected to cause widespread disruption to road transport across Greece, potentially 'cutting the country in two,' according to protest organizers. Police have already warned travelers to avoid peak traffic times. The ongoing standoff highlights deep-seated frustrations within the agricultural sector, with farmers describing their mobilization as a 'fight for survival.' The coming days are critical as both sides appear determined, with the government preparing to enforce laws against road obstructions and farmers resolute in their demands for concrete solutions.