Greek farmers and livestock breeders, supported by local fishermen, staged a coordinated land and sea blockade of the Port of Volos as part of ongoing national protests.
Farmers drove their tractors through the city of Volos to the port, where they declared a symbolic blockade. The entrance to the port was met with a strong police presence, including riot police (MAT) vehicles, positioned to block the farmers.
Volos fishermen simultaneously attempted a blockade of the port from the sea, showing solidarity with the agricultural sector.
Following the initial protest, the farmers planned to return to the Athens Avenue area in Volos, determined to disrupt traffic accessing the commercial port.
Speaking on behalf of the demonstrators, agricultural trade unionist Christos Pantzios stressed the large turnout (“we have a lot of people with us”) while insisting they had “no intention of creating problems.” He called for the removal of the riot police vehicles from the scene.
The General Regional Police Director of Thessaly responded by acknowledging the common desire to avoid conflict (“we are grown-ups…we also have no intention of creating problems”). However, he emphasized that the police were following “specific instructions and are obligated to protect the essential infrastructure.”
Greek farmers protest shortfall in EU subsidies
The events at the port in Volos are part of a larger, nationwide wave of agricultural protests that have gripped Greece in recent weeks, often involving tractor blockades on major highways and ports. The farmers’ grievances are primarily centered on an estimated €600 million ($697.4 million) shortfall in EU subsidies and other payments, currently frozen amid a corruption investigation into agricultural aid distribution.
Meanwhile, the Prosecutor of the Greek Supreme Court Constantine Tzavellas, has issued directives to lower-ranking prosecutors to intervene in ongoing farmers’ demonstrations, with the support of the relevant police authorities. The aim is to investigate and document offenses that are automatically prosecuted under Greek law, as well as potential acts of violence against individuals, public officials, property used for public benefit, and cases of unprovoked damage to private property.
Related: Greek PM Urges Farmers to Lift Blockades as Clashes With Police Break Out on Crete
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