Farmers protest
“Shameful, grotesque, pathetic”: This is how the press commented on the blockade campaign against Robert Habeck
The public prosecutor’s office is now investigating militant demonstrators who ambushed Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck on Thursday evening
© Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP
The protest action by some farmers against Robert Habeck on a ferry in Schleswig-Holstein caused criticism across party lines. There are also clear words in the press.
Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) spoke of “subversive fantasies” after an action by farmers against the Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck had escalated. On Thursday, according to police reports, 250 to 300 farmers blocked a ferry pier in Schlüttsiel, Schleswig-Holstein, in protest against the planned removal of subsidies for agriculture and prevented Habeck from leaving a ship. The Green politician stayed on the ferry for safety reasons and drove back to Hallig Hooge, where he had been on vacation.
Only on a second attempt was the ferry able to dock and take Habeck to the mainland after the demonstrators had left. The action caused sharp criticism across all parties. The federal government had previously announced that it was withdrawing part of its cuts plans in the agricultural sector. This is how the press commented on the incident.
Blockade of Robert Habeck’s ferry: Better not to draw conclusions about the state of democracy
“Rhein-Zeitung” (Koblenz): “Unfortunately, in the light of the spotlights in Schlüttsiel, in the end it becomes clear again who is responsible for this. Robert Habeck? Yes, but not first. Christian Lindner? Yes, but not him first either. It’s Olaf Scholz. If we had a chancellor , who could speak to the people or at least wanted to – our debates went differently. But there is a black hole at the top of the government, which could hardly have a more devastating effect in times when change is undeniably necessary. Every child with a paint box knows what color is created when black is mixed with (bright) red, blue-yellow and green: dark brown.”
“Lausitzer Rundschau” (Cottbus): “Shameful, grotesque, pathetic: This is rightly how the demonstration of around 300 farmers at a ferry pier in North Frisia who prevented Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck from leaving the ship is described. But one should not place too much emphasis on the attacks of the few. It is exaggerated , to draw conclusions about the state of democracy in this country from the actions of this small group. The vast majority know that political discourse is an exchange of arguments and that the federal government, as part of a parliamentary democracy, does not pass laws from above at whim. “
“Leipziger Volkszeitung”: “The farmers and their officials should stop and think about how far they want to push this conflict. The present compromise isn’t that bad. And it is undisputed that agriculture needs to do more to protect the climate. The farmers’ president Joachim Rukwied, who “Who rightly distanced himself from the events surrounding Economics Minister Robert Habeck from the ferry port and violations of the basic democratic order should let the pressure out – and cancel the announced protests next week.”
“taz” (Berlin): “If demonstrators invade politicians’ privacy to such an extent, it will soon be difficult to find people who will take on this job. Politicians also have the right to human dignity. This includes being able to lead a relatively undisturbed private life. Different As the climate activists from the ‘Last Generation’ during their road blockades, the farmers in Schleswig-Holstein acted aggressively. What would they have done with Habeck if they had gotten their hands on him? The farmers have to be careful that their protests against the cuts agricultural subsidies do not slide further and further into right-wing radical territory. At many demonstrations in these weeks, gallows, flags of a violent movement from the 1920s and slogans popular with right-wing extremists such as ‘traitor to the people’ were seen. The organizers such as the German Farmers’ Association should ensure with stewards that “That something like this doesn’t happen again.”
“Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”: “The radical minority that opposed Habeck feels – the comparison suggests itself – as the last generation of agriculture. Here too, pent-up anger is filled with apocalyptic ideology, but also with criticism of the system, which, however, is more reminiscent of the AfD than “This is what Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir was aiming at when he suspected ‘wet dreams of upheaval’ behind the protests. The affair shows how divided the German peasantry is – and what part politics has in it.”
“The Bell” (Oelde): “These chaotic people have done a disservice to agriculture’s request to enforce better conditions for the profession. The farmers’ association must do everything it can to exclude such groups during the week of action. If this does not succeed, it must end the protests in its own interest.”
“Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger”: “What formed at the Schlüttsiel ferry pier against Economics Minister Robert Habeck was a mob. The political discussion about subsidies for farmers turned into a personal threat to Habeck’s health. This makes the casserole different from other farmers’ protests, be it with dumped manure Town halls or tractor blockades. It is a breach of taboo, the result of heated rhetoric in the political debate. A rhetoric that must be stopped now. Violent fantasies against politicians must not be fueled indirectly. The drivel about a hoped-for revolution is part of it – Political majorities change due to election results. Anyone who adheres to the democratic rules can be elected.”