Janice R. Andrews
Berlin, Germany Thousands of farmers have been protesting for a week, bringing Berlin to a near complete stop as they voice their strong objection to tax increases and reductions in subsidies. The protests, which culminated in more than 10,000 farmers decamping into the German capital in support of the country’s goods industry, have increased pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s administration, which is already battling a budget crisis and an economic slowdown.
There were tonnes of tractors and vehicles on the streets that led to the famous Brandenburg Gate, which caused severe traffic jams. The demonstrations did not stop in Berlin; they also caused traffic jams in Hamburg, Cologne, Bremen, Nuremberg, and Munich. Government austerity policies that target tax advantages for agriculture have farmers furious.
As he tried to address the assembly on Monday, demonstrators jeered at Finance Minister Christian Lindner. Farmers voice their displeasure with a government they feel is indifferent to their issues and seek a complete reversal of subsidy reduction.
Polarisation via the use of current divides:
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has taken advantage of the turmoil to further its political agenda. AfD signs decorate some tractors, and party sympathisers in vests have been observed at the protests. Posts on social media from the AfD’s official accounts show support for the protesters, which intensifies feelings of discontent with the government.
Tensions have increased due to the presence of far-right organisations like Third Way and The Homeland. Videos from Dresden show altercations between police and radical right-wingers. Known for playing on splits, the AfD wants to strengthen polarisation and weaken democratic institutions, according to sociologist Johannes Kiess.
The AfD’s involvement at the rallies is intended to take advantage of existing divisions, particularly those between rural and urban areas, despite the party’s market-liberal stance opposing subsidies in general, including those for farmers. Farmers’ associations are trying to distance themselves from the far-right, but there are worries that radical groups would take advantage of the situation.
Far-right aspirations for a coup:
Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck and other government representatives issue a warning against right-wing radicals taking advantage of the farmers’ protests. Habeck observes the appearance of nationalist symbols and the rise of “coup fantasies”. Fears of a far-right impact on the protests and its fallout in the approaching state elections are major concerns for Germany as it works through this issue.
Farmers are even more incensed as Chancellor Scholz has come under fire for failing to properly address the countrywide demonstrations. The next few days will be critical in assessing how the protests affect German politics and whether far-right organisations may take advantage of the unrest for their own agendas as tensions rise.
