Farmers’ protest week: Politicians fear radicalization

The farmers’ association is calling for nationwide demonstrations starting today – and calling for peaceful actions. But there is growing concern in politics that the protests could be infiltrated by radical groups.

Farmers’ actions have been announced nationwide – protest trips with tractors, rallies, large gatherings. Motorway entrances should also be blocked.

Farmers are angry about the federal government’s austerity plans. The traffic light coalition has already rowed back. She no longer wants to cut funding as much as originally planned. But that is not enough for the farmers.

Farmers’ association calls attacks “no-go”

After an angry crowd in Schleswig-Holstein prevented Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) from leaving a ferry on Thursday, fears are growing that the protests could escalate.

The German Farmers’ Association, which is leading the actions, is explicitly calling for peaceful protests. President Joachim Rukwied emphasizes: “We have made a clear statement about this and have distanced ourselves from it in the strongest possible terms. Personal attacks, threats, etc. – that is a no-go.”

Be careful Instrumentalization of the protests

But politicians from various parties fear that the farmers’ actions could be abused by extreme groups. For example, Dirk Wiese, deputy leader of the SPD parliamentary group, says: “We can already see that attempts are being made to exploit the protests, especially in right-wing circles and especially from the AfD milieu. We are seeing this right now in Thuringia. We see “That in Saxony. We also see that in other places.”

However, Wiese also assumes that the majority of farmers will demonstrate non-violently. “Peaceful protest for one’s interests is absolutely legitimate,” he says.

Lindner: “You’ve lost your way!”

At the Epiphany meeting of the Liberals, FDP leader Christian Lindner warned against radicalization and appealed to farmers not to allow themselves to be infiltrated: “You have lost your way! Please turn back!”

After the incidents at the ferry pier on the North Sea, the opposition Union is also calling for moderation. Nevertheless, CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt shows understanding for the farmers’ anger: “Yes, we support these protests, but they have to take place on the basis of the rule of law. And I hope that such derailments like the ones we saw remain an absolute exception. “

Ampel sees no further scope

Meanwhile, representatives of the traffic light coalition make it clear: Beyond the announced reversals of the planned cuts, they see no further scope. “No, because it would have to be counter-financed,” said Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) on ZDF. “I mean, every household has to be covered, and we have now covered it. And I now advise everyone to take a look at it calmly and evaluate it objectively and then you will notice that we are acting very fairly here.”

In addition to the traffic disruptions on the roads caused by farmers, problems are also expected with rail transport in the next few days. The train drivers’ union GDL is calling on its members to strike – from Wednesday night to Friday evening. There will be a strike in freight transport from Tuesday evening.