Not only in France, but also in Germany, mass protests by farmers against the government continue today. Hundreds of tractors blocked traffic in parts of Hamburg. According to Hamburg police, the important port of Germany’s second-largest city was also badly hit. There are “significant traffic disruptions due to tractor blockades”.
According to police, freight traffic was backed up for miles on Germany’s Autobahn 7 near the Elbe Tunnel on Monday morning as tractors blocked the Köhlbrand Bridge and another major access road to the port area. The Port of Hamburg is the largest German seaport and is especially important for container transhipment.
In addition, convoys of tractors caused massive traffic disruptions in central Hamburg, where farmers gathered for a rally at Dammtor train station. Police asked motorists to avoid the entire area and use the S-Bahn and metro if possible. Several bus lines in central Hamburg were affected.
The organizers expect 1,500 tractors
According to officials, organizers expect around 1,500 tractors in the Hanseatic city. Numerous participants from the states of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein were expected. According to police, information about their numbers was initially difficult due to the constant supply of tractors.
Other German seaports were also hit
Other major German seaports were also the target of blockades by farmers on Monday. In Lower Saxony, farmers used vehicles to block the entrances to Jade-Weser-Port, a container port near Wilhelmshaven. According to the police, the access roads were blocked by about forty tractors.
There were also major problems initially in the port of Bremerhaven, another important transhipment point on the German coast. According to police, a “gathering” of farmers caused a “significant backlog” on a major access route. But there are talks between protesters and police, the officials explained. These allow regular entry and exit, slowly reducing obstacles.
Protests have been going on since mid-December
Farmers have been protesting regularly since mid-December. Their dissatisfaction was fueled by the German government’s austerity plans in the wake of the budget crisis. The government has partially reversed and canceled the planned abolition of motor vehicle tax benefits for agricultural companies. However, the abolition of agricultural diesel subsidies must be further implemented – gradually by 2026.
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.
