Huge protests in Germany

2024-01-07 17:09:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Despite the fact that the German government has made concessions, farmers' associations have warned of the start of major protests across Germany tomorrow. The protests will last a week, while the central demonstration will be held on January 15. The authorities expect large roadblocks and blockades of roads and highways, as well as numerous obstacles in other institutions.

Minister of Finance and head of the FDP, Christian Lindner criticized the announced protests. Union parties, on the other hand, support farmers. Federal authorities fear radicalization and infiltration of extremist circles into the protests.

Huge protests in Germany

Roadblocks

Police authorities across the country expect roadblocks and further action with tractors and other farm equipment. Blockades "at most highway entrances" are also expected. "In order to ensure supplies for the population," the authorities allowed the transportation of goods over long distances even on Sunday, which is not usually allowed. The police union fears that the police will be overworked. "Many actions not only go far beyond the legal point of view, but also pose a traffic hazard and a threat to public safety and order," explained police union member Thorsten Grimm. These roadblocks can prevent many workers from going to work sites. In some countries, the closing of schools and some other institutions has also been announced.

The causes of the protests

The German Farmers' Association (DBV) has called for a week of nationwide protests against the federal government's policies. Farmers' anger was sparked by planned subsidy cuts in the wake of the budget crisis. The federal government has now largely withdrawn the plans, but DBV has not given up its protests.

Huge protests in Germany

Other sectors are expected to join the protests, such as fishing associations and some hotel and restaurant associations. The restaurateurs are against the return of value added taxes from 7 to 19%, which was before the corona pandemic. There are also warnings that truck drivers and even railway workers will join the protests, but there is still no concrete decision. Authorities fear that the protests could be misused by extremist circles.

The extremists

Two days ago, a group of extremists in the ranks of the protesters also attacked a ship where the Minister of Economy Robert Habeck was. He was not harmed, but this attack has shown that right-wing circles will try to exploit the discontent for political purposes. The representatives of farmers' associations have distanced themselves from these attacks and have called for extremist political circles not to participate in the protests. We don't want leftists and other radical groups in our protests, declared the chairman of the Farmers' Association Joachim Rukwied./ DW