The government prepares administrative and criminal sanctions for protesting farmers

The process will begin with a presentation by Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, Minister of Rural Development Kostas Tsiaras, and Deputy Finance Minister Thanos Petralias, outlining the framework for supporting the primary sector. The package includes cheaper agricultural electricity for two more years, at around €0.08 per kWh, a mechanism for tax-free agricultural diesel at the pump, an additional €160 million subsidy to compensate for income losses and livestock losses, and 100% ELGA compensation for insured damages, among other measures.
“The government is a government for all farmers and all livestock breeders, not for a minority stationed at the blockades and engaged in mobilizations,” government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said yesterday.

After the announcement of the measures, however, sanctions will follow, as Mr. Marinakis made clear that the government package is not negotiable. If farmers come to the table for discussion, that is welcome. However, since they appear unwilling to retreat, escalation is viewed as unavoidable, and the government is preparing to do something it admitted it had set aside: apply the existing legal framework.

Fines, License Suspensions, On-the-Spot Arrests
Based on discussions within the government’s inner circle, in the coming period farmers who have positioned their tractors on public roads will face both administrative and criminal consequences if they persist and escalate their actions. Under the new Highway Code (KOK) in force since September 2025, obstruction of public transport carries a €350 fine and license suspension for 70 days. In the case of tractors, license suspension applies to vehicles registered for public use.

Authorities also clarify that the fine is not a one-off penalty: if, after a reasonable period, the vehicle is found to remain stationary, a new violation is recorded.

On the criminal side, as already underlined in a circular issued weeks ago by Supreme Court Prosecutor Konstantinos Tzavellas to prosecutors nationwide, consequences will apply under Article 292 of the Penal Code for obstruction of transportation. This offense allows for summary (in flagrante) proceedings, and government sources note that all tractor owners have been identified, with penalties of up to one year in prison, suspended.

Incidentally, among some ministers there is accumulated frustration over what they see as inertia within the justice system and delays by Mr. Tzavellas and local prosecutors in enforcing the relevant legal provisions, with only limited and sporadic exceptions.

Operational Planning
Another key question is whether the government will allow the deployment of tractors and the occupation of critical infrastructure, while at the same time signaling the imposition of administrative and criminal sanctions against farm union leaders. The task is not simple, as clashes between riot police (MAT) and farmers cannot be ruled out. However, according to information, Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis has committed to returning with an updated police operational plan.

According to sources, on Wednesday, following the ministerial announcements, the issue will once again be discussed at the highest government level, in anticipation of an escalation of the farmers’ mobilizations.