site.btaGreek Farmers’ Protest Causes Truck Delays at Kulata Border Crossing, Government Issues Zero-Tolerance Warning Amid Violence

A kilometre-long queue of heavy goods vehicles has formed at the Kulata border crossing, a BTA reporter observed on Saturday. Truck traffic through the checkpoint has been suspended due to a Greek farmers’ protest that began on Wednesday, with only passenger cars allowed to pass in both directions.

The protests erupted due to delays in the payment of agricultural subsidies amid a corruption scandal at the Greek agricultural payments agency, OPEKEPE, even though the government has begun partial disbursement of the subsidies.

Earlier on Saturday, the Bulgarian Border Police said the border crossing was open to heavy duty traffic. Drivers said that “time slots” were arranged for trucks to cross, but only a brief early-morning window was provided. Some drivers have been waiting at the border for more than 24 hours. At the Promachonas checkpoint, agricultural machinery has been deployed, and protesters have threatened to completely block traffic if their demands are not met. 

The Greek government sent a message to the protesting farmers amid escalating road blockades and reports of aggressive behaviour toward police in Thessaloniki. The government cited an incident in which a tractor driver allegedly attempted to run over a police officer, reports the newspaper Kathimerini. “The state will not tolerate illegal behaviour. The law will be enforced without exceptions,” Government Spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said, as quoted by Kathimerini.

Marinakis reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance stance, citing an incident in which a group of farmers attempted to approach Thessaloniki’s Macedonia Airport with the aim of blocking it. He added that the government supports dialogue with farmers and has already taken measures in favour of the majority of lawful farmers and livestock breeders, but said dialogue cannot take place during serious incidents, including attacks on police officers that left one officer injured. 

Deputy Minister of Civil Protection Yannis Lambropoulos told Parliament that it is unacceptable to block roads, prevent the transport of goods, hinder people’s travel before Christmas, or close ports, airports, customs offices, and border crossings. He noted that all subsidies will be paid by the end of December.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis urged protesting farmers to present concrete demands and said the government is ready for dialogue, according to ANA-MPA. He stressed that protests should also take into account the wider society.

Officials said that communication channels with farmers must remain open, but there are “red lines” regarding violence and attempts to block critical infrastructure, including border checkpoints, ports, and airports. Greek authorities also indicated that the government’s approach to farmers will remain unchanged for now, maintaining a moderate tone until the next tranche of primary subsidies is paid. However, any attempts to occupy essential infrastructure or acts of violence will trigger a stricter response.