Berlin came to a standstill again on Monday as thousands of farmers, truck drivers and others shut down the German capital, demanding an end to Chancellor Olaf Scholz's globalist government.
An estimated 5,000 tractors, trucks and 10,000 people marched on Monday, the culmination of a week of nationwide demonstrations in which thousands of farmers mounted tractors and blocked usually busy highways and major thoroughfares in major cities. Thousands of people crowded into central Berlin.
The protests were sparked by the left-wing coalition government's decision to resolve the fiscal crisis by cutting agricultural subsidies and abolishing a tax exemption for farmers on diesel cars that had been in place for more than 70 years.
Meanwhile, the government not only refused to cut aid to Ukraine, but also doubled down on efforts to wage a proxy war against Russia, pledging to double payments to Kiev this year to 8 billion euros.
On January 15, 2024, during a protest by farmers and truck drivers in Berlin, a demonstrator wears a sticker on his jacket that reads “More than less,'' in front of Berlin's landmark Brandenburg Gate. person. (Photo by John McDougall/AFP) (Photo by John McDougall/AFP via Getty Images)
Although the protests had specific demands, they grew to become a symbol of anger against Olaf Scholz's government as a whole.
Establishment media in Germany and abroad have pointed out that the uprising took place amid soaring support for the populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD), and have cast the uprising as an opportunity for the so-called “far right.” I'm trying to decide.
The government has also sought to denigrate the movement, with the Green Party's economy minister, Robert Habeck, viciously claiming that the protests were caused by Russian propaganda.
Today, thousands of farmers, truck drivers and other hard-working citizens took to the streets of Berlin to remind governments and globalists of one simple thing.
“We are the people and we are taking back control.”
This is just the beginning.
🎥: @UNCOFILM pic.twitter.com/HVeFTcDNvi
— Eva Vladingerbroek (@EvaVlaar) January 15, 2024
However, Ursula Munsch, director of the Academy of Political Education in Tutzing, pointed to environmental protection policies promoted by the European Union and enforced by the Berlin government as the main reason for the farmers' outburst. They have been ignored as a series of regulations have been imposed without proper consideration of their economic impact.
Munsch said the government's goal to phase out fossil fuels was seen as government overreach in the economy. tell Deutsche Welle says that people feel it “directly in their wallets and purses, in their basements and garages…this is the real change that makes people suddenly perceive this condition as a nuisance.” .
The obvious anger at the government was on full display as the leader of the coalition partner Free Democratic Party (FDP) and Finance Minister Christian Lindner attempted to address the crowd in Berlin. But in a deeply embarrassing moment for a government minister, Mr Lindner was booed and jeered at by the crowd as he tried to speak.
Bauern President Joachim #Lukuweed muss die aufgebrachte Menge am Brandenburger Tor beruhigen, so dass Finanzminister #lindner (FDP) Redenkan. Immer wieder rufen die Teilnehmer “Hau ab”. pic.twitter.com/xSIpDOk4YL
— rbb|24 (@rbb24) January 15, 2024
according to Broadcaster NTV was told that the crowd frequently chanted, “We have to turn off the traffic lights!” — a reference to the nickname given to the coalition government considering the colors of each of the three main parties. Red is the Social Democratic Party (SPD), yellow is the FDP, and green is the Green Party. There were demands for “immediate new elections'' and “the government to resign.''
The broadcaster went on to say that many say the government is “warmongering” over its support for the war in Ukraine, while funneling billions of hard-earned tax dollars to Kiev rather than promoting a peace agreement. criticized the incident, leading to cries of “our country first.'' Together with Russia.
BERLIN, GERMANY – JANUARY 15: A protesting farmer's tractor stands in front of the Brandenburg Gate during a large demonstration in Berlin, Germany, on January 15, 2024. (Photo by Mariam Majid/Getty Images)
Since the protests erupted last week, the government has largely refused to backtrack on its positions, apart from a proposal to spread the subsidy cuts over multiple years rather than once. But there has been reluctance to reverse substantial tax increases on diesel, which farmers need to operate their equipment and vehicles.
Monday was the last day of planned protests, but Joachim Lukwied, president of the farmers' association, said there was a deadline for the government to meaningfully deal with the protests, in light of the next budget reconciliation meeting. was set for Thursday.
“Currently it mainly targets agricultural diesel. This tax increase must be taken off the table. Otherwise we will have the most expensive agricultural diesel in all of Europe alongside Dutch cars. They will have to drive. It will be a big competitive disadvantage,” Rukweed explained, adding that if the deadline is breached, the farmers do not want any more protests, but “we have the right to take further action. are reserved,” he added.
10,000 people expected to take part in tractor demonstrations against German government as truck drivers join rebelshttps://t.co/8Rwkqxlba9
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) January 15, 2024
