Farmers on Crete have surrounded the island’s airport in protest against austerity measures. The farmers blockaded the airport with tractors and clashed with police. Some drove their tractors onto the runway.

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Hundreds of farmers descended on the Greek Island’s only airport on Thursday (4th October) to voice their discontent at government austerity measures. The austerity measures enforced by the government have led protests and clashes between police and demonstrators throughout Greece in past months, with the latest conflagrations erupting across the country this week.

The austerity package has opened the door for neoliberal assizes to enter Greek government policy; measures affecting the farmers include lower pensions and a privatisation of the agricultural bank which allocates their loans. The measures will also see an increase in taxes for the farmers.

The Greek government has been forced to pass austerity measures by the EU and IMF in return for financial aid.

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