Greece’s Minister for Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrisochoidis, has urged protesting farmers to avoid blocking customs checkpoints and ports, warning that such actions carry serious consequences and cannot be permitted.
Speaking in an interview about the ongoing nationwide mobilizations, Chrisochoidis acknowledged that farmers have every constitutional right to demonstrate. “Their protests are large, and they have the opportunity—also through the media—to express their demands,” he said.
However, he drew a clear line regarding disruptions to vital transport routes. While national highways have already faced closures, the minister emphasized that alternative routes remain available. “At customs points and ports, there cannot be any intervention that prevents the movement of goods,” he stated, noting the importance of keeping the country’s entry and exit points operational.
He warned that occupying a customs office is a serious issue. “When you go and seize a customs facility, which is the country’s gateway in and out, the situation becomes extremely serious and very costly. There are specific offences for which someone can be charged,” he said. Still, he stressed that solutions can be found “through dialogue and understanding.”
“Violence is pointless”
Chrisochoidis also referred to a recent incident of tension during the protests. “Anyone who causes damage to public property—damage that taxpayers ultimately pay for—must understand that this cannot be tolerated,” he noted. He pointed to a confrontation in the region of Larissa, where a police officer was punched.
“Police officers are workers who serve public safety. Why should an officer become a punching bag?” he asked. Despite the incident, he described the matter as resolved and reiterated that the police have no intention of escalating tensions. “There is no desire for conflict or violence. We operate with a mindset of negotiation and cooperation.”
“It is pointless to use force against people who are fighting for what they believe is right,” he concluded. “But at the same time, we cannot deprive the country of essential operations it relies on every day.”
