Researchers, constitutional protection officers and politicians warn: Extremists are increasingly infiltrating demonstrations. They demand a clear demarcation from farmers. When gallows hang on tractors, a limit has been crossed, said Minister Habeck.
On the day that people across the country demonstrate against agricultural policy, several politicians and experts are once again warning that the protests could be infiltrated by extremist forces. Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck said in a ministry video shared on social media:
There are calls circulating with fantasies of overthrow. Extremist groups are forming, ethnic nationalist symbols are openly displayed. It is becoming clear that something has slipped in recent years, which is delimiting legitimate democratic protest and freedom of expression.
Attempt to “act as the true representatives of the people”
Thuringia’s Office for the Protection of the Constitution Stephan Kramer and extremism researcher Matthias Quent also made similar statements. Kramer told the newspaper “taz”: In recent years, right-wing extremists have “steadily and consistently tried to infiltrate every form of legitimate citizen protest.” They tried to “reach the middle of society by acting as the true representatives of the people.”
Kramer added: “So it’s not really a surprise that the farmers’ protests are now being used.” Any emotional topic is suitable for this strategy and will be used.
Researcher: Don’t just differentiate verbally
Extremism researcher Quent also confirmed this. Nationalist, right-wing extremist and conspiracy ideological actors tried to exploit the movement politically, Quent said Deutschlandfunk. They are not interested in agricultural diesel, they “want to paralyze Germany”.
Quent is a professor at the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences. He appealed to the farmers not to just differentiate themselves verbally. You can demonstrate against the traffic light government and at the same time make a statement against the right – for example with slogans like “Nazis out” or rainbow symbols on posters.
A broad alliance is trying to put its stamp on the protests and radicalize them, Quent continued. Examples include the “Identitarian Movement”, but also the AfD.
The AfD, which has been classified as right-wing radical by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution in several federal states, encouraged its supporters to take part in the demonstrations. “We support farmers and other citizens demonstrating peacefully for their rights and their interests. They are taking to the streets on behalf of large parts of society,” the party said in a statement.
Last week in Schlüttsiel on the North Sea coast, the Green Minister Habeck himself fell victim to an angry crowd that violently prevented him from leaving a ferry – the captain was forced to turn back.
Farmers also demonstrated in Schlüttsiel. The call for this was also shared by right-wing groups on the Internet. The farmers’ association immediately distanced itself clearly from this form of protest. There was also sharp criticism of the events in Schlüttsiel from politicians across all parties.
Aiwanger: Denigration “from the left”
Individual politicians, such as Bavaria’s Deputy Prime Minister Hubert Aiwanger, also indirectly expressed understanding. In a “FAZ” interview, Aiwanger was asked about the ferry blockade and allegations that he had inflamed the mood and replied: The blame for the farmers’ anger lies “alone with the traffic light policy, which is threatening the company’s existence.” In an interview with the “Welt”, the head of the “Free Voters” later viewed warnings about infiltration of the farmers’ protests as a targeted denigration “from the left.”
Association: Agriculture will “Future viability” taken
The concrete trigger for the current protests is that the federal government also wanted to cancel two subsidies for farmers in the wake of the austerity measures imposed by the Karlsruhe budget ruling – and at very short notice. She has now partly moved away from that. However, the farmers’ association continues to demand that the planned cuts be completely reversed. “They take away the future of agriculture. Above all, we end up jeopardizing the secure supply of local, high-quality food,” said association president Joachim Rukwied rbb.
Habeck said that the federal government had accommodated the farmers because of the cost pressure. But there is more behind the protests than the current government decisions. “We are all experiencing upheaval. Wars and crises, high inflation over the last two years.” Exhaustion and disappointment, worry and anger took over. “But, and it’s a big but: we must not allow extremists to hijack this uncertainty. We must not be blind. Subversive fantasies mean nothing other than wanting to destroy our democratic state.”
Habeck calls for a general debate about agricultural policy
Habeck continued: “There is no guarantee that the debate in Germany will not become increasingly brutal, so that in the end the law and the rule of law are at risk.” Liberal democracy is a treasure that must be defended. “When gallows hang on tractors, when tractor convoys drive to private houses, then a limit has been crossed.”
At the same time, Habeck called for a debate about further change in agriculture in his ministry’s video. There are good and bad years for farmers, but above all there is a structural problem. Farmers are often unable to pass on their production costs because the prices are not set by them.
Of course, given the problems, they want to hold on to every single subsidy without making any compromises. But there are also other answers: “Fair prices, good pay for demanding work, for sustainability, climate protection and animal protection, direct marketing. In my opinion, we should now use the debate to discuss this seriously and honestly.”
Philipp Eckstein, ARD Berlin, tagesschau, January 8th, 2024 6:00 a.m