The first farmers arrived in Omonia, the tractors are also arriving - the center is closed
Farmers from Northern Greece and Thessaly are gathering in Omonia, Athens, as part of a significant protest against government proposals that they find unsatisfactory.
Farmers have begun to arrive in Omonia, Athens, in anticipation of a major rally aimed at addressing their grievances with the government's proposals. This movement marks a culmination of efforts for these farmers, who traveled from various regions including Northern Greece and Thessaly. They assembled at the Olympic Stadium (OAKA) before making their way to Omonia by trains, with plans to eventually march towards Syntagma Square, the site of significant political activity in the city. The tractors, which were sanitized before travel, are expected to join the farmers shortly after their arrival.
The protest has significant backing from farmers hailing from various areas such as Larissa, Achaea, and Volos, all of whom express dissatisfaction with the current government proposals affecting their livelihoods. The large turnout underscores the serious concern among the agricultural community regarding their economic future and the policies being implemented. Farmers allege that the government's measures do not adequately address their challenges, prompting the mobilization to bring their concerns directly to the heart of Greek politics.
As the protest gains momentum, with logistics being carefully coordinated for both farmers and tractors, authorities have begun implementing measures to manage the anticipated influx of demonstrators. Given the expected arrival time of the tractor convoy at around 4 PM, the situation in central Athens is poised to become increasingly tense as these farmers aim to vocalize their demands for better policy considerations in agriculture. This gathering signifies an important moment for the agricultural sector in Greece and could have lasting implications for future government negotiations with farmers and rural communities across the country.