Following yesterday’s crucial meeting, in which farmers reaffirmed their refusal to enter what they characterise as a pretextual dialogue with the government, new actions are under way. Some of these aim explicitly to rebut claims that farmers intend to disrupt holiday travel. Representatives stated that they will not hinder drivers, and will instead line up their tractors on both sides of the road.
At 2pm, a nationwide blockade of parts of the national road network and bypasses is planned. From this morning until 2pm, passage through roadblocks for vehicles travelling to Larissa will remain open due to the Tempe Criminal Court proceedings. From 2pm to 7pm, blockades will shift to closing bypass routes, differing according to the capacity of each mobilisation.
Farmers are also preparing actions such as the “essential non-operation” of toll booths. This weekend, the Oreokastro tolls will open for several hours, and similar actions are expected elsewhere. Protesters will request that toll barriers be lifted in order to allow the free passage of private vehicles.
In Malgara, farmers are considering the start of a blockade at the Thermi junction, while the road towards Athens remains closed.
At the major blockade in Nikaia, farmers will meet at 2pm to plan the escalation of their mobilisation, including the closure of bypass routes such as the old Larissa–Volos National Road, to which traffic is currently being diverted. This action is expected to last for three hours, from 4pm to 7pm.
Farmers say they will remain on the roads with their tractors over the holiday period and will inform the public of their plans for Christmas travel. To counter the government’s narrative of “social automation”, they stress that from Tuesday, when schools close, tractors will be positioned at the side of the roads wherever possible to ease congestion. Roads will not fully reopen at all points, but vehicle movement will remain possible.
In areas with wider roads, such as Malgara, most lanes may be opened. However, in blockades with dense tractor presence, such as in Nikaia or parts of Karditsa, the number of open lanes has not yet been determined.
Travel will be possible, but delays are expected. Increased festive traffic combined with restricted lanes is likely to slow journeys, and drivers are urged to show patience and plan their routes in advance.
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