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Robert Habeck (Greens) at the citizens' dialogue in Nuremberg

Photo: Daniel Vogl/dpa

Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) was greeted with a loud whistle concert and chants of "Get out!" before a citizens' dialogue in Nuremberg. According to the police, around 350 people gathered for the rally at the main market. The organizers spoke of up to 1,200 participants. The protesters criticized the federal government's austerity plans. Posters read: “Stop talking. Strengthen the economy now” and “We need actions, not sayings”. The Bavarian Farmers' Association had called for the protest against the federal government's economic policy.

In the evening, the Green Party minister answered questions from readers at a citizens' dialogue organized by the newspaper "Nürnberger Nachrichten". Habeck demanded: “We have to talk to each other more. And all politicians must keep the spaces open for discourse. The meaning of democracy and also of demonstrations is that opinions can be exchanged. “Perhaps the last three days will lead everyone to check their contributions,” said the Green politician.

There had previously been farmers' protests during a visit by Habeck in southwest Thuringia. Demonstrators used tractors to block an access route to a factory belonging to the nougat manufacturer Viba. Posters read: “Too much is too much” or “traffic lights ruin agriculture.” The Green politician was already at work. An estimated 50 demonstrators prevented reporters who were accompanying Habeck on a country tour from accessing the plant. Occasionally they shouted “lying press”. Habeck said after the factory visit: “I think this is now the normal situation, that federal ministers are received with protests. I’ve known about this for a year, I’d say.”

Protests and blockades against the Greens on Ash Wednesday

Unlike the day before in Biberach, Baden-Württemberg, the protest in Nuremberg was largely peaceful, according to the police. On Wednesday, the Greens canceled a political Ash Wednesday event for security reasons. This was preceded by protests and blockades by farmers, among others. According to the police, there was aggressive behavior and police officers were injured.

After a similar event in Schorndorf in Baden-Württemberg, dozens of protesters hindered the departure of Green Party federal leader Ricarda Lang. According to a reporter from the dpa news agency, the politician was booed late on Wednesday evening and received, among other things, shouts of "Get off" and "Ugh," and harsher insults were also used. The troublemakers pursued Lang and her bodyguards for around 50 meters until they were stopped by police officers. The incidents caused criticism across party lines.

Habeck said on Thursday evening that it depresses him that recent demonstrations have tended to lead to non-talks. "That's not good, that's not a good development." Something has slipped in the last few months.

czl/dpa