Farmers Block Key Highway Near Athens, Shut Down Bulgarian Border as Subsidy Fury Mounts

10:22 6/12/2025 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

THIVA, Greece — Greek farmers blocked the country’s main north-south highway near Thiva on Friday afternoon, escalating nationwide protests over delayed European Union payments and a widening corruption scandal that has frozen millions in agricultural aid.

Dozens of tractors, previously gathered in nearby Agios Ioannis, surged onto the Athens-Lamia national

highway, halting traffic in both directions within minutes. Traffic police established emergency detours, redirecting vehicles through local roads in Thiva and Livadia.

The blockade follows a morning of heightened tensions at the northern frontier, where farmers parked tractors at the Promachonas border crossing with Bulgaria, disrupting freight transport.

Protesters argue they face a €600 million ($634 million) shortfall in EU subsidies. The payments remain frozen amid an investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office into OPEKEPE, the state agency responsible for distributing agricultural aid. The probe has revealed a scheme involving fraudulent claims for nonexistent livestock and pastures, prompting the government to suspend payouts pending a comprehensive audit.

Unions in the Viotia region announced plans to intensify the blockade this weekend. The Agricultural Association of Livadia stated that farmers from Orchomenos, Aliartos, Vagia, Thespies, and Kastro will move their tractors to the strategic junction at Kastro on Sunday to shut down the national highway again.

"The money was stolen by opportunists while real producers are left with nothing," said Kostas Tzelas, a member of the national blockade committee.

In Phthiotis, central Greece, severe weather forced the postponement of planned demonstrations on Friday. However, organizers confirmed that convoys from Lamia and surrounding areas will mobilize on Saturday, joining a wave of unrest that has already seen clashes with riot police in Thessaly earlier this week.

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Farmers Block Key Highway Near Athens Shut Down Bulgarian Border,Subsidy Fury Mounts