Farmers block highways across Greece in 48-hour protest over rising costs

Farmers launched a 48-hour blockade of major highways across Greece to protest soaring production costs and a proposed EU-Mercosur trade deal; police allowed emergency traffic and the government announced concessions including cheaper electricity rates for farmers and fuel tax rebates.

Farmers across Greece began a 48-hour blockade of major highways, junctions and toll stations on Thursday. They cited soaring production costs, delayed subsidy payments and concern about a proposed EU-Mercosur trade deal. Police directed traffic to secondary routes and allowed emergency vehicles to pass. The government warned it would not tolerate longer blockades and announced concessions including cheaper electricity rates for farmers and fuel tax rebates. Key facts: - Farmers launched a nationwide 48-hour blockade to protest rising production costs and the proposed EU-Mercosur trade deal. - Police directed traffic to secondary routes and allowed passage for emergency vehicles; authorities did not forcibly remove the blockades during the action. - The government announced concessions aimed at farmers, including cheaper electricity rates for farmers and fuel tax rebates, while also warning it would not accept extended blockades. - The protests began in November and have been driven in part by delayed EU-backed subsidy payments and a sheep and goat pox outbreak. Summary: The blockades have disrupted major routes and highlight tensions between farmers and the government over costs, subsidies and the proposed trade deal. The government has offered concessions as a response and has warned against prolonged blockades. Undetermined at this time.