Green Ash Wednesday cancellation: “Methods that are beyond the border”

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Protest against the Greens in Biberach

Photo: Silas Stein/dpa

In view of the short-term cancellation of the Greens' political Ash Wednesday in Biberach due to massive protests, Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) has defended farmers. »Those who have now gone overboard are not German agriculture. “Those were individuals who behaved like that,” said the Green politician in Biberach. The demonstrators had done agriculture and agricultural concerns a disservice, said Özdemir.

Hundreds of people, including farmers, had previously demonstrated loudly in front of the event hall in Biberach. According to the police, there was also aggressive behavior and several police officers were injured. Officers also used pepper spray and batons. The Greens then canceled the event due to security concerns. According to its own information, the state farmers' association in Baden-Württemberg did not call for the protests or support them in advance.

Özdemir himself had faced the farmers at a registered demonstration nearby and discussed their concerns with them. He perceived the treatment there as very fair and decent. “The fact that it gets louder is part of it, you have to endure that,” said Özdemir. The Agriculture Minister has been the target of sharp criticism from farmers' associations for weeks. The reason is the federal government's planned reduction in agricultural subsidies.

Criticism of the demonstrators' methods came from Green Party leader Lena Schwelling. »Nobody in front of the hall is willing to have a dialogue. It's just about preventing the event - using methods that are beyond the border," she said. For example, it is problematic if car windows are broken.

The Green Party member of the Bundestag Zoe Mayer wrote on “But this form of demonstration goes far too far,” she added.

Trittin criticizes the police

The former Green Party leader Jürgen Trittin, who was himself expected in Biberach, was also critical of the police's actions: "I believe that the police in Baden-Württemberg have to ask themselves serious questions about why they were not able to organize an event “To ensure that our own Prime Minister can be carried out,” he told the “taz”.

The Greens have been meeting in Biberach for years. In addition to Trittin and Özdemir, Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann and Federal Chairwoman Ricarda Lang should also be present there.

Trittin also defended the farmers. According to his observations, the protesters "were mostly members of the farmers' association." In front of the hall he mainly saw "right-wingers with a simple request," he said. "It was an organized right-wing mob," he added.

Protests of this kind, Trittin continued, are “not a problem for the Greens.” An “organized attack on freedom of expression” happened in Biberach. “All parties are called upon to put a stop to these putschist activities,” said the 69-year-old. Trittin resigned from his Bundestag mandate at the beginning of the year.

Cross-party criticism of demonstrators

The SPD also vehemently criticized the demonstrators' actions. "The fact that we have to find out in these minutes that the event had to be canceled due to the aggressive mood at demonstrations surrounding the Green Party's Political Ash Wednesday is an absolute no-go," said the Baden-Württemberg SPD state chairman Andreas Stoch. »Dissent is part of our democracy, as is discussion. Only those who have no arguments throw stones. This is the language of those who disregard our democratic principles. We must oppose this decisively,” he added.

In a post on "It only plays into the hands of those who want to lead the country to the brink of the abyss," she added.

Baden-Württemberg's CDU state chairman Manuel Hagel also joined in the criticism of the Biberach tumult and called on the demonstrators to carry out peaceful protests. "The fact that the Greens' political Ash Wednesday in Biberach could not take place today as planned is unacceptable," said Hagel at the CDU festival in Fellbach. The dissatisfaction of farmers, craftsmen and logisticians with the federal government is legitimate. “Protests are part of a functioning democracy,” said Hagel. But he also qualified: “When it comes to protests, moderation always applies. It must always remain peaceful and non-violent.” This was also the case at the vast majority of rallies in recent weeks.

col/cte/dpa/AFP