Greek farmers escalated tensions in Thessaloniki Wednesday night as 1,000 protesters wielding 50 tractors paralyzed traffic near Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ event venue. Police scuffled briefly with demonstrators demanding agricultural subsidies – part of a growing climate change protest movement shaking Europe.
Thessaly flood survivors led the night-time rally, flashing hazard lights while blocking key intersections with heavy machinery. While no arrests occurred, black flags symbolizing agrarian discontent dotted the convoy. Organizers claim uninsured weather-related crop losses exceed €600 million since 2023’s catastrophic storms.
‘We’ve harvested disaster, not crops,’ one farmer shouted through a megaphone. ‘Without diesel subsidies, we’ll plow parliament next!’
This demonstration mirrors recent agricultural actions across Europe:
- German farmers blocking autobahns against subsidy cuts
- French growers dumping Spanish produce at borders
- Polish owners barricading grain imports from Ukraine
Thessaly’s fertile plains – responsible for 30% of Greece’s cotton output – remain partially submerged months after historic flooding. Many growers face bankruptcy without state-backed insurance reforms. Mitsotakis pledged €200 million in farm relief during his Thessaloniki speech, but protesters dismissed this as ‘inadequate bandages on open wounds’.
Agricultural economists warn the growing EU farm revolt stems from climate policy contradictions. ‘Farmers are told to adopt eco-friendly practices while competing against cheaper imports exempt from sustainability rules,’ explains Athens University’s Elena Markou. ‘Their anger is a canary in Europe’s climate strategy mine.’