[Vasilis Psomas/Intime News]
Farmers across Greece have intensified their protests, blocking highways and border crossings from Thessaly to Macedonia, Thrace, Epirus and western regions to demand lower production costs, overdue subsidies and compensation and support for livestock breeders affected by a recent smallpox outbreak.
The most severe disruptions were in flood-hit Thessaly, where the Athens-Thessaloniki national highway and the E65 remain largely closed to regular traffic, causing major delays. Tensions flared in Kiato, where police used tear gas after farmers attempted to block the Olympia Odos motorway.
In Central Macedonia, farmers have kept the southbound lanes of the Thessaloniki-Athens highway at Malgara closed since Monday, with periodic shutdowns in the northbound direction. Additional blockades formed at border crossings with North Macedonia and Bulgaria, including Evzoni and Promachonas, where farmers are considering tightening restrictions on international freight transport.
In northern Greece, convoys gathered in Veria, Halkidona, Pella and Florina, with marches planned towards border posts. Tractor caravans staged symbolic blockades in Pieria. One of the largest standoffs remained in Nikaia, near Larissa, where hundreds of tractors have amassed. Farmers there plan to maintain pressure through Sunday before potentially escalating protests next week.
In western Greece, new blockades appeared along the Patra-Pyrgos highway, with demonstrations expected to intensify in the coming days. Authorities are monitoring the situation and allowing emergency and essential vehicles to pass where possible.