ATHENS: Greek farmers who have blocked highways and border crossings for nine days marched through Athens on Monday, piling pressure on the socialist government struggling with a financial crisis.
Hundreds of angry farmers demanding more subsidies and higher prices for produce marched through the streets of the capital, holding black flags and chanting: “They are drinking our blood, farmers fight back!”
Thousands of wheat, corn and cotton growers have caused major transport disruption across Greece by blocking roads with their trucks and tractors. Others have blocked the Promahonas border crossing with Bulgaria and the railway, ignoring appeals by Greek businesses and complaints from Sofia.
The farmers’ protest is seen as the first test for the ruling socialists, who need to impose tough austerity measures but face unions’ opposition. If the government stands its ground in negotiations, the signal to other unions will be clear.
After a meeting with farmers on Sunday, Agriculture Minister Katerina Batzeli said the government would not satisfy their financial demands.
“The government is determined to get the country out of the crisis but it can’t afford the money they are asking for,” Batzeli said.
The EU and markets have piled pressure on the government to quickly implement the plan to reduce its deficit and debt which is seen rising to 124.9 percent of GDP this year, according to EU estimates, making Greece the bloc’s most indebted country.
Bulgaria and Romania have called the European Commission to press Greece to reopen border crossings, while Sofia said it would seek 10 million euros ($14.20 million) in compensation, to cover Bulgarian transport companies’ losses.
Greece has one of the EU’s biggest farming sectors, accounting for about 5 percent of the country’s GDP. Farmers frequently block roads in winter time in Greece to demand higher prices and grants for their products.
But most of it consists of small-scale farmers who rely on EU subsidies and guaranteed minimum prices to survive.
