Greek Farmers Protest, Sparking Political Clash

07:54 25/1/2025 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

Greek farmers are protesting across the country, demanding government action to address rising costs and falling crop prices. The protests have reached the floor of Parliament, where a heated debate erupted between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and opposition leader Nikos Androulakis.

Androulakis, leader of the center-left PASOK

party, accused the government of mismanaging the agricultural sector and ignoring the plight of farmers.

He criticized rising production costs, delays in farmer compensation, and shrinking rural populations.

"You have failed completely," Androulakis told Mr. Mitsotakis. "The cost of production is rising rapidly, and farmers are being left behind."

Androulakis proposed capping agricultural input costs, eliminating the agricultural excise tax, and promoting agritourism. He also criticized the appointment of a retired judge to oversee farmer subsidies, alleging a lack of transparency.

Mr. Mitsotakis fired back, dismissing Androulakis's criticisms and accusing Pasok of aligning with the left-wing Syriza party. He defended his government's record, highlighting subsidies, disaster relief funding, and agreements with other countries to bring in farmworkers.

"We have moved forward with cooperation with countries such as Egypt, where we have already sourced 5,000 workers," Mr. Mitsotakis said.

He also announced plans to address farm loans and emphasized the need for modernizing the agricultural sector and improving farmer training.

"Our aim is to build a modern agricultural economy linked to exports and tourism," Mr. Mitsotakis said.

The clash in Parliament reflects the growing tension between the government and farmers.

Farmers are demanding reimbursement for lost income, tax-free diesel fuel, lower electricity rates, and subsidized supplies.

With protests escalating, the government faces pressure to find solutions to the crisis in the agricultural sector.

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