Greece: Farmers planning protests nationwide through at least early February /update 1

Farmers will continue periodic protests throughout Greece until at least early February, part of a nationwide protest campaign to demand improved working conditions and state assistance to combat rising production costs. Organizers have planned several demonstrations, including rallies and tractor columns from Feb. 1-4. Farmers plan to enter the city by tractor column in Thessaloniki and rally at the Thessaloniki International Trade-Fair Exhibition on Egmatias starting at 13:00 on Feb. 1-Feb. 4; the end time is undisclosed. On Feb. 1, in Crete, protesters will converge on Heraklion in two convoys. The first convoy will gather south of Chania at the junction of Mournies and National Highway 90 at 08:30, and the second will gather at Pancretan Stadium in Heraklion from 10:30. Both convoys will form go-slow processions to Eleftherias Square in Heraklion, where all participants will rally at an undisclosed time in the afternoon. In Athens, organizers have requested permission to demonstrate at the Agrotica Center on Konstantinoupoleos Feb. 1-4. However, as of Jan. 31, it was unclear whether the demonstration would be permitted.

Farmers conducted demonstrations in regions including Chalkidiki, Phthiotis, Thessaly, and Western Greece in the last week of January. Some protests included the blocking of major roadways and rallies in urban centers.

Heightened security and localized transport disruptions are likely near rally sites and convoy routes. Rallies are possible in all urban centers. Protests that block major highways are possible nationwide, particularly on critical routes between large cities. Low-level confrontations between demonstrators, law enforcement officers, or frustrated motorists cannot be ruled out.