German farmers’ protests paralyze cities, and they’re not finished yet
Several major German cities were paralyzed by farmer blockades for several hours on Monday, with the protesting farmers demanding the left-liberal government withdraw its austerity measures. However, the protests are not over, with demonstrators from across Europe expected to gather in Berlin on Jan. 15, including farmers from Poland, Austria, the Netherlands, and Czechia.
Yesterday, reportedly hundreds of thousands of people across Germany gathered to call on the government to resign immediately over its crackdown on the agricultural sector. Farmers blocked roadways with their tractors, causing major disruptions on highways and roads.
German farmers and their supporters are demonstrating against austerity policies targeting farmers, with protests scheduled all week.
“After a large parade of farmers and middle-class people in Cottbus almost paralyzed the city during the day yesterday, in the evening we went for a joint evening walk with the population,” wrote one X user.
Nachdem gestern tagsüber in Cottbus ein großer Korso der Landwirte und des Mittelstandes die Stadt nahezu lahmlegte, ging es am Abend noch zum gemeinsamen Abendspaziergang mit der Bevölkerung! #Bauernproteste pic.twitter.com/yHlanQXEc5
— Franz Branntwein™ (@FranzBranntwe10) January 9, 2024
WATCH: The German city of #Stuttgart is now BLOCKED on major roadways by protesting farmers
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) January 8, 2024
The farmers are staging nationwide protests and say they won't stop until the red-green government backtracks on its plans to choke off their livelihood with new taxes.
According to new… pic.twitter.com/32aPxmTDhJ
German farmers are coming out onto the streets for week-long demonstrations over the abolition of farm subsidies. They are demanding that the government withdraw the part of its budget plan that will increase the tax burden on farmers by an estimated €1 billion.
The Social Democrat, Green and liberal (FDP) federal government is trying to plug a huge hole in the budget, but cutting farm subsidies would only be a fraction of the total deficit.
NEW: German farmers are just getting started with their nationwide protest, with a week of actions planned.
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) January 8, 2024
Now, many of them are calling on the government to resign. pic.twitter.com/s5DKYqnVM1
Farmers also poured manure on the road near Stuttgart, in what protesters say was a criticism of the government’s policies.
WATCH: 🇩🇪 German farmers dump manure in the roads in Stuttgart. #Bauernprotest pic.twitter.com/511wE7nad9
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) January 7, 2024
In several protest locations, farmers handed out pretzels to motorists while also allowing ambulances to pass. The farmers’ association said this was a sign that farmers had a problem only with government decisions.
NEW: 🇩🇪 Protesting German farmers allow ambulances to pass without issue despite erecting massive roadblocks across the country.
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) January 8, 2024
Last Generation climate protesters have been widely criticized for delaying or even outright stopping emergency vehicles during their "climate glue"… pic.twitter.com/iVaVyhdNi1
Source: Remix News