Marinakis said two separate meetings will be held because the Nikaia bloc refuses to sit with other groups. He added that the government is awaiting the names of delegates “for security reasons”, stressing that the cap of 20 participants is necessary to ensure a functional discussion.
He ruled out additional support measures, arguing that demands such as guaranteed cheap electricity “do not exist elsewhere in Europe”. He pointed to existing policies including VAT refunds on agricultural fuel, lower VAT on fertilisers, timely subsidy payments and tax exemptions for new farmers.
Marinakis said the government’s aim is to defuse tensions and fully reopen roads, noting that continued blockades cannot be tolerated indefinitely. “After tomorrow’s meetings, the situation must de-escalate and tractors must leave the roads,” he said.
On the possibility that the Nikaia committee will boycott the meeting, he noted that “those who refuse dialogue reveal their intentions”, adding that fiscal constraints leave no room for new measures.
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