Georgiadis Condemns Farmers for Rejecting Meeting with the Prime Minister
The Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis sharply criticized the farmers who declined for the third time to meet with the Prime Minister, arguing that no one can dictate what a national leader is permitted to say and adding that certain individuals appear to have lost their sense of proportion.
The minister stressed during an interview on Real FM that the red line has long been crossed and highlighted that obstructing transportation constitutes a serious criminal offense with heavy civil and criminal consequences.
Georgiadis insisted that the government remains open to dialogue yet emphasized that the Prime Minister cannot be left waiting indefinitely.
According to him, anyone believing the state is weak is mistaken, and he called for the law to be enforced without delay.
He argued that groups behind the blockades are intentionally seeking a confrontation, hoping to provoke police intervention to claim government heavy handedness.
The minister noted that the state holds numerous tools to respond, with the most important being the consistent application of the law.
He pointed out that tractors were subsidized to support agricultural production, not to close roads and disrupt economic activity.
Georgiadis praised Prime Minister Mitsotakis for showing patience and democratic restraint, insisting that the roads must reopen.
The minister acknowledged that he initially felt understanding toward the farmers due to delays in payments, though he said this understanding has now disappeared since outstanding payments have been completed.
He highlighted that the agricultural movement lacks unified demands, citing that farmers in different regions seek different and sometimes contradictory things.
Regarding Maria Karystianou and her intention to form a political party, Georgiadis warned that parties which previously supported her should be worried, mentioning SYRIZA, Velopoulos and Zoe Konstantopoulou.
