ATHENS, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Farmers across Greece intensified their protests on Wednesday, expanding a major blockade near Nikaia in central Greece that once again forced the closure of the Athens-Thessaloniki motorway, according to local authorities.
More tractors and farm machinery continued to arrive at the site, and organizers said participation was expected to increase further over the next 24 hours, the Greek official news agency AMNA reported.
Farmers from Thessaly, a key agricultural region in central Greece, said they would maintain their presence and urged the government to address rising production costs, low selling prices and delays in subsidy payments.
A demonstration is planned on Thursday in downtown Larissa, the capital of Thessaly, ahead of the December 4 trial of several farmers arrested during recent protest incidents. Organizers say the rally aims to show solidarity with the defendants.
On Tuesday, livestock farmers staged a symbolic protest in Larissa's Central Square, spilling milk and dumping straw and corn outside the Courthouse to highlight the financial pressures on the primary sector.
At the Kipi border crossing in northeastern Greece, which connects the country with Türkiye, the suspension of freight truck traffic entered its second day. Farmers have blocked both inbound and outbound international freight lanes, while other vehicles continue to pass normally.
In Imathia in northern Greece, farmers blocked part of the Egnatia Motorway near the Niselio junction on Wednesday, positioning their tractors across the roadway. A representative told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency that it remained unclear when the road would reopen. Protesters said they have kept a corridor open for emergency vehicles.
