The demo participants stand for miles in front of the Brandenburg Gate: In addition to the farmers, many other people are venting their anger here.
For Werner Mette, it’s about everything: Since 1870, his family has been running a farm in the south of Berlin with 30 cattle and 180 hectares of land for agriculture. Now he fears that the fifth generation, including his son Martin, could be the last if politicians do not give in. “I think it will be over this year,” he says.
Costs have increased in many areas. He is still in the process of paying the bills for last year’s fertilizer deliveries, and the next ones are already around the corner. If the subsidies for agricultural diesel are gradually eliminated, as the traffic light government is planning, things will be tight for his family.
That’s why he and his son took part in the first protests in December and are there again this time. They have numerous supporters, including many who do not work in agriculture themselves. They all have one thing in common: great dissatisfaction with the traffic light government’s policies.
They drive to the Brandenburg Gate on Monday morning, sometimes before seven o’clock, at minus eight degrees: the first demo participants light fire barrels. Thermoses of coffee are passed around, and beer, champagne and cola are also available. Martin’s tractor is a popular focal point at the demonstration. He offers his fellow demonstrators homemade cakes made by his mother and chocolates.
Organizer Arfsten: “I’m pretty excited”
The first tractors have been in Berlin’s government district since Sunday evening – and it’s just the beginning: they herald a Germany-wide week of action. The farmers’ association and the Federal Association of Road Transport, Logistics and Waste Disposal (BGL) have planned a large demonstration in Berlin on January 15th. According to the police, 10,000 participants with many tractors are registered.
But this Monday, the Street of July 17th is already well filled on the approximately two kilometer long stretch between the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column. Tractors, trucks, delivery vehicles and cars are parked in four lanes – according to the police, there were 700 vehicles by the afternoon. Many drivers have German flags and protest posters with them.
“I’m pretty amazed,” says Frerk Arfsten about the long rows of tractors in front of the Brandenburg Gate. The farmer is involved in the “Free Farmers” industry association and has taken over the organization of the demonstration.
He is also happy about the support from other industries. Very different professional groups are represented, from logisticians to civil engineering workers to a wide variety of craftsmen. He is trying his best to keep the protest politically neutral and, above all, not to let it be taken over by right-wing circles.
However, that doesn’t work 100 percent on this morning in Berlin. A few cars with Reich flags and AfD flags can be seen on site. Some participants don’t shy away from drastic symbols, and a tractor with the inscription “If the farmer dies, the country dies” also has a self-made gallows with a doll on it.
“We need another government”
To support the concerns of the farmers, nurse Manuela also traveled from the Cottbus area, together with her partner Chris and his colleagues Marcel and Gerd from a steel company. “We need a different government,” says Chris. The others nod. They stand around a fire barrel and unload crates of drinks, a grill and provisions from their car.
