When returning from his vacation
Angry farmers block the ferry with Robert Habeck on board
January 4, 2024, 10:09 p.m
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In Schleswig-Holstein there are protests against Robert Habeck, who docks on a ferry on the mainland there. The farmers block the travelers. There are offers to talk from both sides, but ultimately nothing comes of it.
Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck was stopped by hundreds of farmers when returning from his vacation on Hallig Hooge in Schleswig-Holstein. According to “Husumer Nachrichten” A rumor had previously spread that the Green politician was arriving in Schlüttsiel (North Friesland district) on a ferry. Hundreds of farmers then made their way to the ferry dock in the small North Sea town for a protest with their tractors.
The demonstrators blocked the pier so that no car could leave the ship. According to the report, the police threatened to evict them, and the protesters chanted “We’re fed up.” According to “Husumer Nachrichten”, the farmers did not accept an offer from Robert Habeck that three protesters could come on the ferry to talk to him.
The Vice Chancellor’s bodyguards rejected a counter-suggestion that Habeck should come to them because of the security situation. A ministry spokeswoman confirmed this to ntv.de.
Several people then tried to storm the ferry, which can also be seen on a video on social networks. The police had a lot of trouble holding people back. Pepper spray is also said to have been used. The ferry then probably left again without letting the Economics Minister and the other travelers ashore.
Justice Minister Marco Buschmann wrote on
Traffic light backs down
The farmers are outraged because of the traffic light coalition’s planned reduction in subsidies. On Thursday, the federal government responded to the massive farmers’ protests: The coalition wants to forego the abolition of the vehicle tax exemption for agriculture.
The abolition of the tax relief for agricultural diesel is to be extended and implemented in several steps, as the federal government spokesman announced in Berlin.
However, the German Farmers’ Association considers the measures to be inadequate – and is sticking to a week of action planned from Monday.