‘Without us, you don’t eat’: Greek farmers drive tractors to parliament to demand financial help

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Scores of tractors have been parked outside Greece’s parliament as thousands of farmers angry at high production costs shifted their protests to Athens. One banner says that “Without us, you don’t eat.” The farmers’ demands are similar to those at farmer protests elsewhere in Europe. The center-right government has expressed sympathy but says budgetary constraints prevent it from meeting all their demands. Protesters want tax-free fuel, debt forgiveness, measures against foreign competition and speedier compensation for damage from natural disasters. In a show of solidarity, hundreds of students joined the farmers and protested government plans to end the state monopoly on university education. The protest ended peacefully.