Germany
Convoys of tractors and trucks have blocked roads and motorway entrances in Germany Monday as others demonstrated against the German government’s plans to cut subsidies for agriculture, among other things, writes Reuters. Roads and highways in several parts of the country are blocked. Including several border crossings with France.
In Berlin, up to 200 tractors blocked the main street leading to Berlin. In Munich, police reported about 5,500 tractors heading towards the city and Hamburg police said up to 2,000 tractors are expected to roll into the city. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck of the Greens warns that farmers’ right to protest could be exploited by extremist groups.
“Coup fantasies are circulating, extremist groups are forming and ethno-nationalist symbols are being openly displayed during the protests,” Habeck said. Farmers believe that the government’s plans to remove tax cuts, which currently save them around €900 million a year, will drive them out of business. Protests are planned for the rest of the week, and on 15 January farmers have planned a large demonstration in Berlin. /ritzau/