“Coercion and violence don’t work”
Habeck blockade is a “no-go” for the farmers’ association
January 5, 2024, 11:01 a.m
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A group of farmers tries to storm a ship carrying the Minister of Economic Affairs. The German Farmers’ Association condemns the action. This crosses a limit, they say. Protests by farmers nationwide are still planned for the coming week – including road blockades.
The German Farmers’ Association (DBV) has condemned the blockade of a ferry with Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck on board and has distanced itself from the process. “Personal attacks, insults, threats, coercion or violence are not acceptable,” said association president Joachim Rukwied, according to the statement. “Blockades of this kind are a no-go.” Despite all the dissatisfaction with the federal tax plans, his association naturally respects the privacy of politicians, he emphasizes. “We are an association that upholds democratic practices.” DBV General Secretary Bernhard Krüsken made a similar statement on WDR: “That’s not possible, it’s a border crossing, a violation of privacy.”
Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir had previously called on German farmers to clearly distance themselves from the incidents. The Green politician described the participants in the blockade as “fanatics” and “Radikalinskis” with fantasies of subversion who were not concerned with German agriculture.
“Threatening politicians does not help our demands”
The Schleswig-Holstein farmers’ association also distanced itself from the actions of the farmers at the ferry pier. “We have already made it clear in advance of our actions that we do not plan or support any blockade actions and clearly reject any violations of the law or calls for them,” said President Klaus-Peter Lucht. “Harassing and threatening politicians undermines democratic discourse and does not help us enforce our legitimate demands.” Violence should not be a tool in political debate.
Tractors and trucks are on the way to the ferry dock in Schlüttsiel.
(Photo: picture alliance/dpa/WeststädtenNews)
According to police, farmers blocked a ferry pier in Schleswig-Holstein on Thursday evening and prevented Habeck from leaving a ship. According to police information, around a hundred people took part in the blockade of the pier in Schlüttsiel. The Green politician decided to stay on the ferry and drive back towards Hallig Hooge, a police spokesman told the AFP news agency. 25 to 30 people then tried to prevent the ferry from leaving. The federal government sharply criticized the action. A video also shows several people trying to storm the ferry. As the Flensburg police announced, Habeck reached the mainland at night on a special ferry.
Farmers are planning rallies nationwide
The farmers’ anger was sparked by the planned elimination of subsidies for agriculture, some of which the federal government has now withdrawn. The DBV is still holding on to nationwide protests next week. Association president Rukwied expects strong participation in the protests – despite the partial withdrawal of the cuts plans. “I expect that tens of thousands of tractors will come to our rally all over Germany,” he told the “Bild” newspaper. “It goes without saying that this will also cause traffic disruptions.”
The association calls for “the complete reversal of these tax increases without any ifs and buts.” The farmers are dissatisfied and frustrated because they have the impression that “in Germany, agricultural policy is made from a quixotic, urban bubble and against the farming families and rural areas,” says Rukwied. The farmers’ association has called for a week of action against the federal government’s policies from January 8th to 15th. A large demonstration is planned in Berlin on Monday, January 15th. Krüsken emphasized that protest is part of democratic customs. But we also “do not accept” border crossings like in Schleswig-Holstein.
The Interior Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Herbert Reul, warned farmers against excessive actions. “Not every form of protest is helpful to the cause. This applies to sticking actions as well as to blocking tractors,” said the CDU politician to the “Rheinische Post”. “Anyone who oversteps must face consequences.” Farmers should not put their own interests above public order.