Farmers respond to Mitsotakis and decide on a rally

“The developments are shaped by the majorities, not the presences,” say the farmers from the nationwide committee of the blockades, commenting on the prime minister’s statements during the meeting with farmers from the minority blockades. They remain steadfast in their decisions from the nationwide meeting in Nikaia and demand that the prime minister meet with “the real farmers, those who are on the road,” as they say.

Shortly after the meeting at Maximos Mansion and the announcements made by the prime minister, News 24/7 spoke with farmers from Nikaia, Malgara, and Karditsa. The first reactions emphasize that the farmers are not blackmailing, but are fighting for their survival.

Proposal for a Tractor March to Athens by Nikaia

Rizos Maroudas, president of the Unified Federation of Agricultural Associations of Larissa, stated that the Nikaia blockade has decided to propose a nationwide meeting in Palama Karditsa tomorrow for a tractor march to Athens. “The Nikaia blockade will propose at tomorrow’s meeting that farmers, livestock breeders, beekeepers, and fishermen go to Athens with tractors, buses, and cars. We call on everyone to support us in order to meet with the prime minister,” he said.

In their coordination meeting, they also decided on a rally in central Athens, further escalation of the struggle with closures of national roads, and insist on a meeting with the prime minister with the 25 farmers and 10 producers representing the 62 blockades to cover all the demands.

“It’s a Fight for Survival – Mitsotakis Is Mocking Us”

Kostas Tselas, president of the Unified Federation of Agricultural Associations of Karditsa, talked about a fight for survival, not partisan games as the prime minister accused them. As he emphasized, the farmers stick to the decisions of the nationwide committee of the blockades in Nikaia and await what will be decided at tomorrow’s meeting.

“Mitsotakis didn’t say anything substantial. We ask for the agricultural electricity rate to be fixed at 7 cents, to be paid twice a year. We don’t hide behind political parties, we are fighting for our survival. We will escalate our struggle until the prime minister meets with us, as he continues to mock us,” he stated.

“Mitsotakis Should Meet the Real Farmers – Interest in the Agricultural Fuel Comment”

Giorgos Mpotas, an agricultural unionist and rice producer from the Malgara blockade, commented on the government’s ongoing communication game. “He believes that the agricultural issue has been covered because he met with some well-wishers and heard things that were tailor-made for him. However, the real farmers are on the road,” he stressed. He said that he believes, even at the last moment, the prime minister will agree to meet the two committees of 25+10 farmers and producers.

Mpotas further commented that the government used the committees to deceive the farmers and create the impression of division among them. “This is the first time there are so many unanimous decisions, such dynamics. Society is with us, and we have no intention of causing inconvenience. Our demands have been known from the start, and they do not differ substantively from the demands of those who went to Maximos Mansion. They chose, for their reasons, to distance themselves from the nationwide committee, but it is important to say that the decisions come from the majority,” he said.

The agricultural unionist emphasized that the only relevant measure discussed concerns the exemption of agricultural fuel from excise tax, as well as not charging VAT on this discount. “It needs clarification, but it is the only interesting thing we heard,” he concluded.