Farmers across Greece are intensifying their protests, deploying tractors to key locations nationwide and demanding government action to alleviate the burden of rising production costs.
Tensions flared briefly Tuesday in northern Greece as police prevented farmers from blocking the national highway with tractors at Malgara and Kymina, according to ThessToday.gr.
However, farmers have maintained a strong presence in the region, with dozens of tractors gathered at various points, including near Alexandria, Polykastro, and Gypsohori.
In Katerini, farmers staged a symbolic protest by distributing lentils to passing drivers.
In Thessaly, farmers have taken more decisive action, briefly blocking the national highway near Gyrtoni and staging a two-hour blockade at the Megalochori junction.
The Pan-Thessalian Coordinating Committee has called for daily short-term road blockades, and rallies are planned for Karditsa, Trikala, and Larissa later this week.
The number of tractors participating in the protests continues to grow, particularly in Imathia, Kilkis, and Pella. Farmers are expressing growing frustration with the rising costs of fuel, fertilizer, and other essential inputs, and they are demanding concrete government measures to address their plight.
While Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food Christos Kellas has offered to meet with farmers, it remains to be seen whether this will diffuse the escalating tensions.
The farmers' resolve appears firm as they push for meaningful relief from the economic pressures they face.