The big farmers’ descent – Rally with tractors in Syntagma

Following the deadlock in their negotiations with the Maximos Mansion, farmers and livestock breeders from all over the country are gathering today, Friday (13/02), at Syntagma for the major rally, as part of the continuation of their mobilisations.

At the nationwide farmers’ meeting held last Wednesday (4/2) in Nikaia, Larissa, a mass descent of farmers with tractors was decided.

The farmers’ programme

After the major rally, scheduled for 4:00 p.m., the farmers have decided to stay overnight at Syntagma and return to their regions tomorrow, Saturday (14/02).

According to information, farmers from Larissa, Karditsa, Atalanti and Bralos will not drive their tractors all the way to Athens due to the long distance. Instead, around 40–50 tractors will be loaded onto large trucks and transported to the capital. Their meeting point will be Afidnes at 12:30 p.m.

In the early hours of today, 6–7 tractors will depart from northern Evia, head to Chalkida where they will meet another 15–20 tractors, and then proceed by road to Afidnes. These tractors will continue normally toward Athens under police escort.

The tractors will enter Kifisos using the right lane and the emergency lane (hard shoulder), while the left and middle lanes will remain open to drivers, as the aim is not to disrupt traffic. Via Athens Avenue they will head into the centre of Athens.

At 2:00 p.m., farmers from across the country who intend to travel to Athens by private vehicles or buses will gather at OAKA, where they will park their vehicles and then use public transport to reach Omonia. The tractors will lead the way from there, followed by the remaining farmers, and at 4:00 p.m. they will arrive at Syntagma.

At the heart of their struggle remain vital demands that they insist must be satisfied immediately: reduction of production costs, income replenishment, prices that cover production costs and ensure a subsistence income. Protection from natural disasters through the implementation of all necessary infrastructure projects, as well as protection from animal diseases. Amendment of the ELGA regulation so that it insures and compensates production and capital at 100% for all causes of damage and without delays.

Workers stand by the farmers

Workers will demonstrate alongside farmers and livestock breeders.

Specifically, the Labour Centres of Athens and Piraeus and unions across Attica are calling for a rally at Syntagma at 1:00 p.m. against the bill on collective labour agreements, which will evolve into a gathering to welcome the farmers. ADEDY has taken a similar decision and is calling all public sector employees to Syntagma at 4:00 p.m.

The Federation of Attica Craft Associations is calling for mass participation by all self-employed professionals, their associations and unions. The Street Markets Struggle Committee is also calling for a militant welcome for the farmers. The Association of Self-Employed Professionals and Traders of the Municipality of Athens has likewise issued a call for participation.

The Federation of Greek Women is calling on women from working-class families to attend, with a pre-gathering at 3:30 p.m. at the National Bank in Syntagma, at the intersection of Karagiorgi Servias and Stadiou streets.

Organisations of the disability movement will also be present at Syntagma, together with the Coordinating Committee of the Struggle of People with Disabilities.

Athens city centre inaccessible on Friday

Emergency traffic measures will be put into effect from Friday morning (13/2) in central Athens.

The Traffic Police urge drivers to avoid travelling through and parking in the wider city centre area, noting that traffic arrangements will be implemented gradually and depending on prevailing conditions, both in central Athens and on major road arteries of Attica.

The Traffic Police announcement states:

“Due to the scheduled gatherings and farmers’ mobilisations that will take place on Friday, 13 February 2026, emergency traffic measures will be in effect from the morning in the wider area of central Athens and on major road arteries of Attica. These measures will be implemented gradually and depending on prevailing conditions.

Drivers are requested, for their better service and to avoid additional traffic problems, to refrain from travelling through and parking their vehicles on the road network of the wider Athens city centre and to follow the instructions of traffic officers.”