Farmers' Protest Forces Temporary Closure of Heraklion Airport on Crete

On the Greek island of Crete, large-scale protests by farmers led to a significant disruption at Heraklion's Nikos Kazantzakis Airport. According to police reports, hundreds of farmers breached security barriers and police cordons, ultimately gaining access to the airport's runway. This incursion resulted in the suspension of flight operations at the facility.

Organizers of the protest indicated a plan to occupy the airport grounds until at least late afternoon, with further decisions regarding their next actions pending discussion. Elsewhere on the island, clashes between farmers and law enforcement were reported. In the vicinity of Chania's airport, demonstrators were seen throwing stones and striking police vehicles with sticks. Authorities confirmed that one police vehicle was overturned and at least one officer was injured amidst the unrest. Police deployed tear gas in response but eventually retreated from the confrontation.

Beyond Crete, similar protests were observed in various regions of Greece, where farmers blocked roads, border crossings, and government buildings. The situation remained tense in several locations as demonstrators continued to demand action.

Dispute Over Agricultural Subsidies and State Support

The protests are rooted in longstanding grievances among Greek farmers regarding rising production costs and delays in government subsidies. Farmers have voiced calls for immediate state assistance to offset their losses and support agricultural production. The demonstrations have intensified as investigations into alleged fraudulent activities surrounding European Union agricultural subsidies have prompted the government to withhold certain payments.

Greek authorities have stated that no farmer acting within the law will ultimately lose their entitled funds, once the ongoing investigations are concluded. However, the uncertainty has fueled frustration and unrest within the agricultural community.

Background of the Subsidy Fraud Investigation

The current situation is closely linked to a broader corruption inquiry into the allocation of EU agricultural subsidies. Investigations by the European Public Prosecutor's Office revealed that thousands of individuals had applied for subsidies on land they did not legally own. Official reports from the Greek government indicate that fraudulent claims may have affected more than 30 million euros in EU payments.

This issue is partly attributed to changes in the EU's Common Agricultural Policy in 2014, which began distributing subsidies based on the amount of land farmed. In Greece, incomplete land registry records and unclear property ownership made the system vulnerable to abuse. As a result, many individuals were able to claim subsidies for land not rightfully theirs, which has since become the focus of the ongoing investigation.

Government Response and Political Implications

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with representatives of the farming community. However, he has also cautioned against protests that may alienate the general public or escalate tensions further. The island of Crete, the Prime Minister's home region, remains central to both the protests and the ongoing subsidy investigation.

The Greek government continues to emphasize that all legally compliant farmers will receive their due payments once the investigation is completed. In the meantime, the disruption of key infrastructure such as airports and roads underscores the urgency of addressing both the immediate concerns of farmers and the systemic issues in subsidy administration.

The situation remains fluid as discussions between farmer representatives and government officials are anticipated, with outcomes likely to impact both the agricultural sector and public services across Greece.