Greek farmers intensified nationwide blockades on Tuesday, December 9, disrupting major highways and intermittently shutting border crossings as they protest delays in more than 600 million euros of EU aid and other payments.
The delays follow investigations into a subsidy fraud scandal involving falsified land claims, slowing audits and payments at a time when farmers are also battling a severe sheep pox outbreak that has forced mass culls.
Key transport routes between Athens, Thessaloniki and the Turkish border were affected, while protesters in the north threatened further action at Thessaloniki’s port and airport.
On Crete, flights were cancelled after farmers stormed Heraklion airport, though operations later resumed.
“It’s a matter of survival,” farmer Yiannis Koukoutsis told ERT, calling for measures such as freezing tax debt.
The government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis has acknowledged delays and says more funds will be released this month, with 3.7 billion euros due this year.
Amid escalating tensions, Supreme Court Prosecutor Constantine Tzavellas ordered local prosecutors to intervene and investigate any offences or property damage linked to the protests.
