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Following a day full of tension and clashes with police, 10,000 Greek farmers are holding a rally in central Athens. It began shortly after 06:00 pm from Karaiskaki Square and was led by 20 tractors of farmers from the blockade of the village of Nicaea near Larissa. They arrived after a long journey and were welcomed with cheers.

The procession aims to reach Syntagma Square, where earlier today farmers from Crete and other regions pitched tents, planning to stay in them at least until Sunday. The Peloponnese farmers arrived in Athens about an hour ago, after serious clashes with police near the suburb of Chaidari. The Greek media reported of more farmers with tractors moving to the centre of Athens.

The square outside the Greek parliament is filled with thousands of farmers, some of whom have lit a fire in front of the monument of the Unknown Soldier. It has also become clear that farmers from northern Greece are preparing to travel to Athens later tonight and join their colleagues.

Earlier, the government members condemned the attack of Crete farmers against the building of the Ministry of Agricultural Development. Minister of Citizen Protection Nikos Toskas even said that the clashes with police near Chaidari involved "Golden Dawners and right-wing elements" who tried to perplex the protest of farmers.

According to the government sources cited by skai.gr, negotiations are currently underway to start a dialogue between farmers and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

The protest of farmers continued until late evening despite the drizzling rain. Thousands of farmers remained outside the parliament building, but quietly, causing no tension. Some of them will spend the night in tents in Syntagma Square and hold another protest at 05:00 pm tomorrow.

GRReporter recalls that farmers are protesting against the pension reform and the introduction of new taxes in the sector.