Greek Farmers Halt Airports and Borders Over Delayed EU Funds

Greek farmers launched nationwide protests on Monday, shutting down Crete’s Heraklion airport, blocking roads and border crossings, and clashing with police over delays in European Union subsidy payments. Thousands of tractors and trucks created blockades in more than 20 locations, with air traffic disrupted after demonstrators forced their way onto the airport runway. Police used tear gas to disperse crowds as protesters threw rocks and damaged vehicles.

The unrest stems from a funding shortfall of about 600 million euros in EU aid, worsened by a corruption scandal involving fake land-ownership claims to secure subsidies. Ongoing audits have slowed payments, leaving farmers without financial support while battling climate-related crop losses and a sheep pox outbreak that has already led to mass culling of livestock. Farmers say honest producers are suffering while those who cheated the system have yet to be punished.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis urged farmers to end the blockades, promising dialogue and reaffirming a government plan to distribute 3.7 billion euros this year. However, protesters remain unconvinced, continuing to obstruct border checkpoints with Bulgaria and Turkey and targeting ports across the country, including Mytilene and Volos, as they demand justice and immediate payouts.

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