Greece is facing widespread travel disruptions as Christmas travelers begin their journeys amid ongoing farmer blockades on major road networks. Traffic congestion has intensified on key national routes, raising concerns over road safety, delays, and access to regional destinations during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Significant miles-long congestion has been reported on the Athens–Thessaloniki national highway, particularly beyond the Schimatari area. At the same time, drivers around Thebes are encountering heavy delays on the Thebes Connector Road and the city’s northern ring road.
Traffic disruptions also extend intermittently along sections of the Thebes–Livadeia highway, reaching as far as Aliartos, about sixty miles north of Athens. As thousands of travelers head toward the countryside and winter destinations, authorities warn that congestion could worsen if blockades remain in place.
Government response to farmers’ blockades in Greece
Against this backdrop, Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis commenced with a cabinet meeting and a message directed at the farming community, expressing hope that protests would soon ease. He emphasized that the government has already moved forward with financial commitments, noting that disbursements totaling €3.8 billion ($4.4 billion) are nearing completion, with remaining payments scheduled to conclude within the coming week.
The Prime Minister acknowledged delays in the process, explaining that the payments were part of a complex transition involving stricter controls and institutional restructuring, including the transfer of responsibilities to the tax authority. However, he stressed that funding levels exceeded those of the previous year and were accompanied by more robust oversight.
Progress on farmer demands and structural reform
According to the government, the majority of farmer demands have either been resolved or remain open to further discussion. The administration maintains that recent reforms have replaced a financially unsustainable compensation system with a framework that emphasizes transparency and fairness, in line with commitments agreed on by the European Commission.
Looking ahead, the Prime Minister announced plans to establish a cross-party parliamentary committee to address long-term challenges facing the primary sector, with the aim of producing recommendations that would be binding for all political parties.
Balancing protest rights and public interest
While recognizing the concerns raised by farmers, the Prime Minister underlined the need for collective responsibility, particularly during the holiday period. He pointed to the broader impact of road closures on free movement, local economies, winter tourism, and public safety.
He also referred to the tens of thousands of travelers expected to spend the holidays outside major cities. The government, he said, does not want citizens forced onto unsafe detours or exposed to increased accident risks. In this context, he made clear that ensuring the reopening of roads falls under the authority of traffic police and remains a non-negotiable priority.
Government takes firm stance as farmers’ blockade in Greece continues
Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister stressed that the government would not yield to pressure tactics or act at the expense of other social groups.
He reaffirmed that fiscal limits and European obligations define the scope of government action and warned that further escalation would undermine public trust and social cohesion during a critical period.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
