PM says talks with farmers productive as opposition rejects outcome

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Tuesday that talks with representatives of farmers and livestock breeders were “substantive, sincere and productive,” claiming the meeting opened a new path for the country’s primary sector.

Speaking after the meeting at the prime minister’s office, Mitsotakis said the government detailed existing support measures and accepted new proposals, including expanding eligibility for discounted electricity prices. He cited progress in agricultural subsidies, lower energy costs, tax relief on fuel and faster compensation payments, while warning that road blockades by what he called a “political minority” could not continue.

“The government has exhausted both the economy’s capacity and its tolerance,” Mitsotakis said, adding that authorities would not tolerate “blackmail or illegality.”

Opposition parties rejected the government’s assessment

SYRIZA said the talks amounted to “threats and dead ends,” accusing the government of staging a communication exercise while ignoring farmers’ core problems, including high production costs, disease-related losses and competition from Mercosur trade agreements. SYRIZA called for tax-free fuel, lower electricity prices and full compensation for livestock losses.

PASOK-KINAL said farmers heard “the same unfulfilled promises” and disputed the government’s claims of increased subsidies, citing lower agricultural payments in 2025 compared with previous years.

The Communist Party (KKE) also condemned the meeting, calling it “provocative,” and said no pressure or ultimatums would stop farmers’ mobilisations.

Farmers across Greece have been protesting for weeks over rising costs and declining incomes.