On Thursday evening, angry farmers besieged a ferry moored on the North Sea coast with the German vice-chancellor on board. Robert Habeck, who was on his way home from his Christmas holiday, had to temporarily return to the island of Hallig Hooge.
The reason for the protest, in which more than a hundred farmers took part, was plans by the traffic light coalition to abolish both the exemption from motor vehicle tax for agriculture and the tax reduction for agricultural diesel. The demonstrators wanted to intercept and confront the Green politician, who is also Minister of Economic Affairs.
But this venture was prevented by the police and the minister’s guards. A police spokesperson also confirmed the use of pepper spray. Nothing is known about any injuries.
According to police, the situation calmed down quickly after the ferry left. There were no reports that evening. “There is already a disturbance of the peace,” said a police spokesperson when asked whether an investigation was still being conducted. According to bild.de, Habeck was only able to return home late in the evening. The assembled farmers did not accept the offer to speak to two representatives (see also the video below).
Parties shocked by ‘border crossing’
Representatives of the ruling parties and the CDU were shocked by the siege on the ferry. “It is shocking what happened there and I am deeply outraged. “It is a complete violation of boundaries and an attack on Robert Habeck’s privacy,” said Britta Haßelmann, leader of the Green Party. She expects the farmers’ union to condemn the action.
German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) wrote on the X platform (formerly Twitter): “The fact that you are angry sometimes is a gift. But one thing is clear: violence against people or things has no place in the political debate! This discredits the concerns of many farmers who are peacefully demonstrating.”
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) also wrote about the exceedance. “Anyone who loudly criticizes the content of the traffic light should not remain silent now. It doesn’t work that way!”
The government gives in to the plans
The farmers are indignant about the planned reduction in subsidies by the traffic light coalition. On Thursday, the German government responded to the massive farmers’ protests: The coalition wants to abandon the abolition of the exemption from motor vehicle tax for agriculture. The abolition of the agricultural diesel tax credit should be expanded and implemented in several steps. However, the German Farmers’ Association considers the measures inadequate and is sticking to a week of action planned from Monday.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
