After corruption scandal: huge protests by Greek farmers | EUROtoday

As of: December third, 2025 8:48 p.m

In Greece, farmers have been blocking roads and border crossings for days. There had been clashes with the police. The background is a corruption scandal in reference to the fee of EU agricultural subsidies.

Greek farmers have blocked border crossings within the north of the nation in protest towards the delayed fee of EU subsidies. Tractor convoys blocked the entry roads to North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey and compelled drivers to take lengthy detours. There had been additionally blockades with tractors and agricultural gear on essential roads inside the nation.

Hundreds of farmers in a number of areas had already blocked roads with tractors over the weekend. Greece’s public order minister stated this week that the federal government remained keen to carry talks with protest leaders. However, she is not going to tolerate the blockade of essential transport hubs.

Corruption scandal behind protests

There have already been clashes between farmers and the police in a number of areas. Police used tear gasoline to attempt to stop new roadblocks. There had been arrests and several other accidents. The closures additionally result in vital delays in worldwide truck visitors.

The background to the actions is an escalating protest towards the delayed fee of EU subsidies in reference to investigations right into a corruption scandal. Cases had been uncovered wherein EU assist was utilized for and paid out with out authorization.

More arrests in reference to scandal

The scandal led to the resignation of 5 senior authorities officers in June and the gradual closure of a state company liable for agricultural subsidies. Dozens of people who find themselves stated to be linked to the scandal have additionally been arrested up to now few weeks.

The arrests got here as a part of an investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. The unbiased EU monetary crime company stated on the finish of October that the investigation was associated to systematic, large-scale subsidy fraud and cash laundering.

Farmers need to proceed protests

Given the excellent EU agricultural subsidies, many Greek farmers complain about delayed funds. They are additionally demanding further assist in view of the drastically elevated manufacturing prices. Fair and cost-covering costs for his or her merchandise are additionally on the farmers’ listing of calls for.

The farmers introduced that they might proceed their actions at Christmas and till the New Year so long as the federal government doesn’t make any concrete guarantees. Representatives of the protest motion converse of a “fight for the existence of the farms”.

With info from Moritz Pompl, ARD Studio Athens