New Left accuses Government of failing Meriç as floods devastate Northern Farmland

Greece’s opposition party Nea Aristera on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the government over recurring floods in the northern region of Meriç, arguing that policy failures — not nature alone — are responsible for the mounting damage to farmland and local livelihoods.

In a statement issued after widespread flooding in northern Meriç, the party said “Meriç is not drowning because of nature; it is drowning because of government choices,” accusing authorities of neglecting long-delayed water management and flood protection projects.

Thousands of Acres Destroyed

According to the party, thousands of hectares of crops have once again been destroyed in northern Evros. Local farmers, already reeling from prolonged drought conditions, are now facing fresh losses caused by severe flooding.

“Let us not deceive ourselves,” the statement read. “These are not ‘extreme phenomena’ that caught us off guard. This is a region that has been demanding water management projects, flood defenses, and modern infrastructure for years — and has yet to see them materialize.”

Climate Crisis “Not an Excuse”

While acknowledging the broader impact of the climate crisis, New Left argued that environmental pressures cannot serve as a justification for what it described as state inaction.

“When there are no reservoirs, when dams remain poorly maintained, when embankments are not reinforced, the farmers and the entire local community pay the price,” the party said.

The opposition stressed that the primary sector — agriculture and farming — is the “economic backbone” of Evros, warning that continued neglect could trigger not only income losses but also population decline and long-term social deterioration in the border region.

“If the primary sector collapses, it is not only incomes that will be lost. Population, life, and the region’s future will be lost,” the statement added.

Call for Immediate Action

New Left called for:

• An immediate comprehensive water management plan
• Urgent reinforcement of flood-control infrastructure
• Swift financial support for affected producers without bureaucratic delays

In a pointed closing remark, the party contrasted what it described as the government’s focus on border fencing with the needs of local residents.

“For the government, ‘fortification’ means a fence. For the residents of Evros, fortification means ensuring their land does not sink every winter. That difference is political — and it carries a cost.”

The Greek government has not yet responded publicly to the statement.