site.btaGreek Motorways Open to Traffic as Some Farmers End Protests

Greek farmers have begun removing their tractors from motorway and border checkpoint blockades after more than 50 days of protests, the online edition of Kathimerini reported.

The media outlet noted that most protesters appear convinced they cannot secure further concessions from the government.

The decision to lift the blockades was taken on Tuesday evening, following two consecutive meetings in recent weeks at the Maximos Mansion between delegations of farmers and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Most of the farmers represented at the talks had already reopened motorways to traffic, while leaving some tractors parked along the roads in readiness. This was a precondition set by the center-right government for holding the meetings.

The protesters have been demanding higher subsidies and tax relief, citing sharply rising production costs. The government has partially met their demands, saying it is constrained by budgetary limits, and has warned that prolonged road blockades would lead to police measures against the protesters.

Some farmers have nonetheless decided to keep their vehicles parked by the roadside in Malgara, central Greece, without specific plans to block the highway again. Later on Wednesday, protesters from the Karditsa region in Thessaly are expected to meet to decide on their next steps.