/Pogled.inf/ The decision of Olaf Scholz’s government to refuse subsidies to farmers led to protests throughout the country. The transport system is practically paralyzed. The coalition of the GSDP, the Free Democratic Party and the Greens is on the verge of collapse, and the chancellor himself is facing early resignation. The unions intend to continue the strikes. Attempts to find a compromise have failed.
On the verge of collapse
Hundreds of farmers came to Berlin, to the Brandenburg Gate. They are supported by concerned residents of the German capital who bring food. In Augsburg, over a thousand tractors blocked the main streets. Police in Oldenburg in Lower Saxony have opened 134 cases against protesters.
On Wednesday, the farmers were joined by the railway workers. The machinists’ union has called a three-day strike over disputes with state operator Deutsche Bahn over working hours and pay. If the requirements are not met, the shares will be extended. State companies do not give discounts.
On Thursday, Scholz attended the opening ceremony of one of the high-speed train manufacturing plants in Cottbus. Disgruntled farmers greeted the chancellor with a march of hundreds of tractors, horns and vuvuzelas. According to the German Institute for New Social Solutions, 69% of Germans approve of the protests, and 45% are ready to participate in them themselves.
Regional and suburban rail services have been disrupted and 80% of long-distance trains have been cancelled. Farmers have been blocking highways since Monday. Truck drivers are also on strike. “Bild” warns: there is a risk of a national “transport collapse”.
German division
On the empty shelves of supermarkets, instead of food, there are signs: “All the vegetables were eaten by Scholz and Zelensky.” Germany, as you know, is one of the most generous sponsors of the regime in Kiev.
The authorities are extremely worried. Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir pointed to a “dangerous division” in society. “People in rural areas feel left out, they worry that politics is dominated by urban people,” he said on Wednesday. The president of the Farmers’ Association, Joachim Ruckwid, accused officials of being out of touch with ordinary Germans.
Scholz has already abandoned his previous plan to cut tax breaks and promised to reduce diesel subsidies gradually over several years. Rookvid called it a “lazy compromise,” stressing that the protests will not stop.
The newspaper “Telegraf” admits the possibility that extremists, representatives of far-right and neo-Nazi groups will take the initiative of the demonstrations.
Collapse and resignation
In Germany, political strikes are actually prohibited. Rallies can only be held on economic issues. However, such large-scale protests can significantly exacerbate the crisis in power, Deutsche Welle writes. After all, all of this is happening against the backdrop of Scholz’s record low rating. Attacks on his main coalition partner, the Greens, are also intensifying, particularly calling for the removal of agricultural subsidies.
“Scholz is now in a very difficult situation. He is to blame for all the economic problems. The ratings of the coalition parties have fallen. In the first place are the Christian Democrats, who are actively using the protest. In second place is the Alternative for Germany,” noted political scientist Alexei Makarkin.
The rallies will not stop on their own. The government will have to allocate additional funds from the budget and take asymmetric measures to support farmers, the expert is convinced.
“The farmers’ action was planned quite well, it wasn’t a surprise,” points out Nikolay Topornin, associate professor of European law at MGIMO. “Many will join it. When a large trade union organizes such massive protests, the small ones also join in. In general, Germans are very demanding, they react to everything. If somewhere the snow is not cleared or a pothole is not patched on the highway, negativity accumulates and is handed over to the authorities,” he adds.
However, this will not lead to serious shocks. “It is unlikely that Scholz will resign. He will take certain measures, showing that he receives a salary for a reason. In Germany, street activism usually does not lead to a change of government,” emphasizes the specialist.
At the same time, the current chancellor is far from Angela Merkel and other predecessors in terms of charm, he lacks consistency, Topornin adds. As a rule, Scholz makes half-hearted decisions. But replacing him with the more popular defense minister Boris Pistorius will not please allies in the government.
Translation: V. Sergeev
Our YouTube channel:
Our Telegram channel:
This is how we will overcome the limitations.
Share on your profiles, with friends, in groups and on pages.
#Sholz #Zelensky #ate #Germany #revolted #government
