German farmers in massive protests

By Geoff Adams

Jan 12, 2024

Farmers with hundreds of tractors take part in a protest rally in Augsburg, southern Germany, on January 10. (Peter Kneffel/dpa via AP)

German farmers protesting at the planned reduction in agricultural subsidies have taken an aggressive approach to getting their point across.

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They have blocked and jammed highways and streets in the national capital and set up protests at shopping centres, tourist attractions and even outside the opera.

In response to the German Government’s austerity plans, the farmers’ association has called for a week of action with rallies. It is due to culminate in a large demonstration in the capital Berlin on January 15.

Convoys of tractors and trucks gathered on roads in winter temperatures in most of the 16 federal states, while protesters clashed with police.

Angry farmers attempted to storm a ferry carrying Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, who was returning from holiday last week.

He warned that farmers' right to protest could be exploited by fringe groups.