Danger for democracy: Habeck warns of ‘subversive fantasies’ among farmers

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‘This republic is the best state Germany has ever had. We must stand up for them. As democrats, let us show solidarity and be patriotic in that sense. This week and the next, at this time.”

Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economic Affairs Robert Habeck (54) makes this appeal to Germany. The reason: the nationwide protest by farmers. They blocked driveways, highways and streets on Monday. There was traffic disruption in many places.

“Extremist groups are forming”

The farmers’ association has called for a week of action to demonstrate against the abolition of subsidies for the industry. The main issue is the tax credit for agricultural diesel. The fact that the federal government has withdrawn some of its austerity plans is not enough for the association.

Protest and expression are important, but according to Habeck, protest has sometimes taken a dangerous direction. “There are calls circulating with fantasies of subversion. Extremist groups are forming, ethno-nationalist symbols are openly displayed.”

In fact, right-wing extremists also mingled among the demonstrators, and the right-wing nationalist AFD hijacked parts of the protest.

The Habeck ferry is blocked

Germany must not allow extremists to use the heated atmosphere to damage democracy, Habeck says: “We cannot be blind. “Subversive fantasies mean nothing more than wanting to destroy our democratic state.”

Most recently, the farmers’ protest over the weekend caused a stir. Farmers had blocked a ferry pier in the North Sea port of Schlüttsiel with their tractors and prevented Habeck from leaving the ferry. (ymh)

Source: Blick