Farmers from Rhodope head to Athens
On the morning of Saturday, 7 February, farmers gathered at the parking area of the Komotini Radio Station, where they were briefed by the President of the Gümülcine Farmers’ Association, Nikos Botrotsos. During the meeting, names were collected for buses that will transport participants to Athens, as it is practically impossible for them to travel there with tractors.
According to Mr. Botrotsos, the goal is to fill at least one bus, with hopes of arranging a second one as well. Contacts are also underway with farmers from İskeçe in order to organize a joint mobilization, if possible.
As he explained, the mobilization is taking place because none of the farmers’ demands — apart from the issue of agricultural fuel — have been satisfied to any extent. The aim is to increase pressure on the government and highlight the scale of the problem.
Mr. Botrotsos noted that while payments have largely stopped nationwide, in Rhodope many farmers have not been paid at all, while others have only received partial payments.
“We will remain mobilized, either on the streets or through institutional channels, until the very last farmer is paid the legal subsidies they are entitled to,” he stressed.
