Blocked motorways and long traffic jams: In protest against the IAA Mobility auto show, demonstrators paralyzed traffic on motorways around Munich for a long time.

The fair opened today.

According to the police, they unfurled banners on the A8, A92, A94 and A96 on Tuesday morning.

In some cases, several people abseiled from motorway bridges for this purpose.

On the A9, the activists climbed a bridge of signs and pasted over the inscription.

"Traffic collapse 2000 m" was now written there.

The police are now investigating those involved in the protests on the highways - among other things because of dangerous interference in road traffic and coercion, as a spokeswoman said. The fire brigade approached with turntable ladder vehicles and set up safety cushions under the bridges. Alpine specialists from the police were deployed. The police observed the situation from the air with helicopters.

According to the AFP news agency, demonstrators criticized the focus of this year's IAA on climate-neutral mobility as “greenwashing”.

"The destructive power of electric cars is at least as great as that of the combustion engine," said one demonstrator.

“Our goal is nothing less than to smash the automotive industry and its lobby.” The demonstrators called for free public transport across the country.

The infrastructure for cycling and walking should also be expanded.

The Munich police announced on Twitter at noon that all motorways had been reopened, but that there were still some traffic obstructions to be expected.

"The climate crisis starts here"

The IAA auto show is taking place in Munich for the first time this year with a new concept.

Opponents of the fair want to disrupt their own statements after it has expired in order to demonstrate for a climate-friendly mobility transition.

“We are calling for car-free cities, well-developed and free public transport - especially in rural areas.

And the immediate halt to construction of all motorway projects, "it said in a press release.

Environmentalists also protested right in front of the fair.

Representatives of the environmental protection group Greenpeace demonstrated for a faster goodbye to the internal combustion engine.

On Tuesday morning, 14 of them climbed into the pool of water in front of the Munich Exhibition Center with posters.

The posters featured images of floods and forest fires in recent years, as well as slogans such as “The climate crisis starts here”.

The police, who were in large numbers at the exhibition grounds, let the activists go, after about half an hour they left the water.

"The German auto industry is fueling the climate crisis more and more," criticized Greenpeace traffic expert Benjamin Stephan.

“With their reckless dealings, VW, Mercedes-Benz and BMW restrict the freedom of young people.

In order for that to change, the corporations have to move away from climate-damaging internal combustion engines much faster. "

Criticism of the protests

The Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) criticized the protest actions and rejected the protesters' criticism.

"The IAA Mobility shows the way to climate-neutral mobility," said VDA President Hildegard Müller.

“And we also discuss with those who disagree.

Our offer for dialogue is in place.

We reject violence and coercion, ”she said.

Bavaria's State Chancellor Florian Herrmann criticized the protests on the motorway bridges.

Of course, demonstrations, protests and expressions of opinion are always possible, but there is also a legal framework for them, said the CSU politician.

If other people are endangered by the actions, this is not to be tolerated.

Further blockades have been announced for Friday and a large demonstration and a bicycle rally with tens of thousands of participants for Saturday.