Representatives of protesting farmers and stockbreeders around the country on Tuesday appeared adamant that roadblocks along major highways and toll booths will resume after the New Year’s holiday on Thursday.
At the same time, some roadblocks were being lifted or partially lifted in order to allow motorists to travel for the holiday.
In statements to a news radio program on Tuesday, Citizens’ Protection Minister Michalis Chrisohoidis said the government had decided not to use “legal force” to end the mobilizations, i.e. arrests of individuals blocking and impeding traffic. At the same time, he bemoaned these types of protests, saying that were detrimental to society in general and obviously illegal.
At several spots around the country police were diverting highway traffic to feeder roads and provincial roadways in order to avoid roadblocks and narrow stretches of pavement due to heavy farm machinery parked on either side.
