The first tractors have arrived at Syntagma – thousands of farmers are expected at a large protest rally in Athens

The first 9 tractors have already arrived at Syntagma Square. An hour earlier they had passed through Metaxourgio Square. After some time, about 150 more tractors are expected to arrive in the center of Athens.

They will gather in Syntagma Square along with thousands of farmers who have arrived in the capital by bus and car from Northern Greece, Thessaly, Central Greece and the Peloponnese to demand the right to continue traditional farming and animal husbandry.

Around 13:00 a column of more than 120 tractors from the areas of Central Greece and Thessaly passed through Afidnes and continued to Athens, with the cars moving at a speed of about 40 km/h.

According to plan ELAS, vehicles were redirected from Piraeus to the center of Athens for the first group of 9 tractors, which headed through Piraeus to Syntagma. The second group, with 78 tractors, is currently passing through Waribobi, while the third, with 50 tractors, is on the Afidnon toll road.

The first 19 tractors went to Athens Avenue and then drove into the center of Athens, where traffic regulations will come into force. It is worth noting that the arrival of the farmers is awaited by taxi owners who, as a sign of support, parked their cars at Spyrou Patsis on Athinon Avenue.

At the same time, farmers of the Peloponnese continue their march to Syntagma, holding a large rally in ΣΕΑ Megara after 13:00. The farmers’ rally in Athens is expected to take place at 6 pm today.

ELAS spokeswoman Constance Demoglidou said: “In connection with the movement of farmers towards the center of Athens, we inform you that in the next hour the traffic police will apply additional traffic rules in order to safely carry out both the movement of farmers and the movement of other citizens in the area. In particular, traffic rules will apply after the Avenue (Leoforos) of Athenon and on the axis of the road, which includes the streets of Deligiorgi, Piraeos, Stadiou, Filellinon and Xenophontos.

Let us remind you that traffic rules are still in force on Agios Konstantinos Street, Omonia Square and Panepistimiou Street. Citizens are asked to avoid traveling on these roads until the end of the protest march.”

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