ATHENS (Sputnik) – Farmers in Greece began gradually removing roadblocks nearly a month after setting them up in protest of government plans to introduce pension cuts and tax hikes, national media reported.
Nearly 100 makeshift roadblocks impeded movement across Greece’s borders with Turkey and Bulgaria. Bulgarian truck drivers staged counter-blockades in mid-February.
Late on Saturday, farmers dismantled a 37-day roadblock at the Tempi junction linking the country’s northeastern and southeastern coasts, according to the ANA-MPA news service. Farmers in the southern peninsula of Peloponnese also removed roadblocks late on Saturday.
Two roadblocks along the Greek-Bulgarian border were said to have been removed as well.
Farmers gave the government time to fulfill their promise to support Greece’s agricultural sector, but vowed to return should Athens fail to deliver. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras met the farmers on February 22, vowing to implement a total of 25 support measures.
Greek farmers have been blocking transport routes across Greece since mid-January in protest over looming tax and pension system reforms demanded by Greece's international lenders.
