Public sector workers and farmers unite against the adoption of the state budget
Public sector workers and farmers joined forces on Tuesday, 16 December, to protest against the adoption of the 2026 State Budget, following a call by ADEDY (the Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants’ Trade Unions). The demonstration took place in İskeçe’s central square, with farmers arriving on tractors to show their support.
Messages such as “Our demands are common,” “The struggle will continue until solutions are given,” and “We must all fight together” dominated the protest.
Participation from unions and associations was relatively limited, yet the mobilization carried strong symbolic significance. ADEDY reiterated its opposition to what it describes as an “anti-popular and tax-burdening” budget proposed by the New Democracy government, a stance already highlighted during its 39th Congress. At the same time, ADEDY expressed solidarity with ongoing farmers’ mobilizations and road blockades.
Farmers stood alongside public employees, with tractors lined up in the square. The İskeçe Sheep and Goat Breeders’ Association also backed the protest, stressing that the problems faced by farmers affect society as a whole and require a collective response.
Farmers: “We Are Waiting to See Money in Our Accounts”
Speaking to the press, Dionysis Dontsos, head of the İskeçe Farmers’ Coordination Committee, explained that earlier in the day farmers had staged a protest at the customs checkpoint before heading to the central square. For the sixth consecutive day, following the closure of the checkpoint, they joined the ADEDY-led rally.
Dontsos expressed dissatisfaction with the Prime Minister’s recent announcements, noting that livestock farmers were not mentioned at all, despite being, as he said, “the backbone of society.”
“We remain cautious about the government’s promises of payments. We are waiting to see money in our bank accounts and real solutions to key issues—production costs, product prices, electricity costs, and agricultural fuel,” he said, adding that the struggle would continue until demands are met.
Public Employees: “There Is Anger Everywhere”
Dimitris Ntoumos, President of the İskeçe Teachers’ Association, stated that they support the farmers’ fair demands, underlining the connection between agriculture, local communities, and the market.
“Our demands are common. Participation today is limited, but among all public employees and across society there is anger that needs to be expressed,” he noted.
Reference was also made to earlier statements by Maria Loukopoulou, President of the İskeçe Secondary Education Teachers’ Union (ELME), who had stressed that for the country to survive meaningfully it needs healthcare, education, and a strong primary sector, adding that government policy is undermining all three.
ADEDY: “This Is a Common Struggle”
Paraskevi Machairidou, President of the Association of Judicial Employees and General Council Member of ADEDY, described the budget as a “war budget.” She criticized the government for allocating €21 billion to big capital, while rejecting demands such as the restoration of the 13th and 14th salaries for public employees.
She emphasized that the struggle against poverty, rising prices, and the commercialization of healthcare and education is a shared one:
“We are facing a policy that impoverishes our lives and prevents us from living with dignity. As a society, we all experience the same problems, and only together can we fight and claim solutions,” she concluded.
