Mitsotakis–Farmers meeting in doubt – What Tzellas alleges

Farmers’ anger was sparked in particular by the government’s so-called “two-meeting strategy.” The initial plan was for a single meeting tomorrow at the Maximos Mansion between the prime minister and a delegation from the Panhellenic Committee of the roadblocks.

However, a second meeting has already been scheduled with a group of farmers from the split-off roadblock at Prasina Fanaria, as well as with farmers and livestock breeders from Crete, who had been mobilising separately throughout the previous period and have already met once with ministers Kostis Hatzidakis and Lefteris Avgenakis Tsiaras.
“This is a divisive move by the government. It has no interest in providing solutions. Its sole concern is how to break up the farmers’ struggle. We will not take part in this,” Kostas Tzellas, president of the United Federation of Agricultural Associations of Karditsa, told NEWS 24/7.

The roadblocks will decide their next steps at general assemblies this afternoon, but the mood appears increasingly negative. Farmers not only view the government’s moves as divisive and driven by communication tactics, but also note that the Maximos Mansion is making it clear it will offer nothing more and is prepared to discuss only “technical issues.”

What the goverment said about the two meetings

Earlier, during the government briefing, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis argued: “It’s not as they are saying. Two meetings will take place because some did not want to be in the same meeting with others. However, the government and the prime minister do not operate on the basis of ultimatums.”

At the same time, he effectively confirmed that one of the two meetings will not involve representatives of the roadblocks, saying: “The aim is to meet with all representatives of farmers. There will be one meeting with the group representing the mobilisations and a second with the others, whom the first group does not want to meet together with. Therefore, two meetings.”

Mr Marinakis also told farmers that the government expects the names of their representatives in good time for security reasons. He further cited security concerns and the need for a constructive discussion to justify a limit of 20 participants at each meeting.

Asked what the government’s stance would be if the Panhellenic Committee of the roadblocks ultimately decides not to meet the prime minister—meaning whether both meetings would be cancelled—Mr Marinakis said he could not answer at this stage. He added: “Our invitation was made on the condition that the participation be as representative as possible. Meeting with people who do not represent the whole would undermine the demands.”

He went on to say: “Anyone who refuses to come to dialogue shows something about their intentions,” and concluded: “The goal is for tomorrow’s meeting to take place with the most substantial and comprehensive representation of farmers. We hope this meeting goes ahead tomorrow for the benefit of all.”
He also stated that the government has been “very tolerant so far” and claimed that after the meeting with the prime minister “there will be no justification for farmers for further escalation, nor for the authorities for further tolerance.”