A delegation of farmers delivered a resolution outlining their demands to Minister Kostas Tsiaras and later to Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis. Protesters denounced the conditions of financial suffocation they face, citing delayed subsidy payments, inadequate compensation for natural disasters and the devastating impact of sheep and goat pox on livestock.

They called for tax reforms and incentives for agricultural cooperatives, a reduction in energy costs through the reinstatement of VAT refunds on agricultural fuel, and systematic dialogue with farmers’ organisations over the changes brought by the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Following the rally outside the ministry, demonstrators marched to the offices of OPEKEPE, where a heavy police presence awaited them. Riot police cordons prevented access to the building, prompting anger among the farmers, who accused authorities of treating them as adversaries rather than citizens demanding solutions.

‘We left our herds and came down to Athens. The struggle is difficult, but we will fight it,’ said one livestock breeder from the foothills of Olympus.

Main demands

The farmers’ resolution states that they are living under ‘conditions of financial suffocation’ with mounting uncertainty about the future and huge losses of livestock. Their main demands include:

  • Immediate payment of €1.2 billion in outstanding subsidies and compensation pending from OPEKEPE and ELGA, and correction of problems in the fuel tax refund system, which currently covers only 30–35% of full-time farmers.

  • Full and rapid compensation for losses caused by sheep and goat pox, including income loss during quarantine.

  • Acceleration of investment programmes for rural development, delayed by more than three years.

  • Reduction of energy costs through a fair refund of the agricultural fuel excise tax for all beneficiaries and proper implementation of the Net Metering system.

  • Reform of ELGA’s operating model to ensure effective disaster response.

  • Tax incentives and reforms to support Agricultural Cooperatives and correct implementation of the 50% tax reduction.

  • Structured dialogue on upcoming CAP changes to avoid repeating past mistakes.

  • Urgent solutions to irrigation problems to ensure dams and water systems operate according to farmers’ needs.

Political presence and next steps

The protest was attended by political figures including Nikos Androulakis (PASOK leader and MP), Pavlos Christidis (PASOK MP), Pavlos Polakis (SYRIZA MP) and Nasos Iliopoulos (New Left MP), who expressed support for the farmers’ demands and urged immediate government action.

According to the Farmers’ Coordinating Committee, the Athens mobilisation is ‘only the beginning’. A nationwide assembly of the Panhellenic Committee of the Blockades will take place on 23 November in Nikaia, Larissa, to decide on further actions, including potential tractor blockades in early December if the government fails to meet their demands.

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