Discontent at the Border: Greek Farmers’ Blockade Enters Sixth Day

Discontent among Greek farmers over unpaid subsidies continues, with Bulgaria remaining the country most affected by the blockade at the Kulata–Promachonas border crossing. Today, Deember 8, traffic was brought to a complete standstill for a short period. Thirty-five minutes later, the road was reopened but only to cars, with heavy goods vehicles still blocked. The protesters have promised a shorter blockade today.

At exactly midday, Greek farmers once again shut down the Kulata–Promachonas crossing. The demonstrators apologised to lorry drivers for the delays at the border.

Haris Kapatanidis: “We know that the situation on the roads is serious because of the blockades. That’s why today we will do our best for the lorry drivers by shortening the blockade.”

“This is not the right way. They need to go to their government, where they live. They should stand outside their own homes and block the roads there,” said a traveller heading from Greece to Sofia.

Representatives of the Greek government were present at the border today and held talks with the protesters.

Kostas Boumbas, Member of the Greek Parliament: “How much money are we talking about — one million, two million euros? The government does not have the funds to pay the people gathered here today. The future of Greece’s farmers remains uncertain unless they receive their money.”

Later this week, representatives of the farming community are expected to meet Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to discuss possible solutions to the issue of unpaid subsidies.

Payments to agricultural producers in Greece have been frozen due to a corruption scandal and an ongoing European Union investigation into how farm subsidies have been allocated.