“We must bear in mind that we will not solve the problem if we do not increase our national wealth” argued the Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras upon welcoming the Nikea block farmers.
“We must find solutions for the people who produce, as well as make a distinction between those farmers who are struggling to produce and the small minority that has benefited greatly in the past” he added.
The Prime Minister further commented that discussion and cooperation will result in solutions and explained that he is against criminalizing the farmer protests. Additionally, he noted that extra care is needed and underlined that the mobilizations and strike actions must not conflict with national and societal interests.
The Prime Minister arranged to meet with representatives from the farmer road block at Nikea at 10:30 on Thursday, in order to discuss their demands.Amongst others, the farmers demanded that the government withdraws its pension reform proposal and abandon plans for raising their taxes, while introducing a tax-free threshold of 12,000 euros, increased by 3,000 for each child.
They also demand that diesel for agricultural purposes to be tax free, on top of reduced electricity bill rates and the abolition of VAT on agricultural supplies. They want primary and secondary residences (up to a value of 300,000 euros) to be protected from being seized.
As a gesture good will the farmers have decided to allow access to the customs offices at Malgara and Promachonas, as well as fulling restoring traffic in Western Macedonia.
