Several hundred farmers blocked the access to the city center with dozens of tractors, including the sports hall where The Greens were supposed to hold their traditional carnival closing on Ash Wednesday. They had to cancel this due to the unsafe situation in the city.
Despite orders, the farmers in Biberach refused to move their tractors. During confrontations, among other incidents, a police car window was smashed, police used tear gas, and German President Steinmeier had to leave without achieving anything.
The police union says the presence of tractors increases the danger for the public and police, a concern they have raised before. Politicians are also expressing worries about safety and warn of 'French conditions'.
"The authorities and the police must respond immediately and ban tractors at gatherings," said police union chairman Jochen Kopelke to Düsseldorf's “Rheinische Post.” He added that the police will enforce such a ban consistently. Berlin has not yet responded to the call. It is the city councils (and federal states) that issue demonstration permits and are responsible for security.
Police spokesperson Sven Francken spoke of aggressive behavior, including towards police officers. The Green Party leadership criticized the events, while Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir defended the farmers: “Those who went too far are not representatives of German agriculture.”
Many farmers hold The Greens responsible for environmental and climate restrictions in agriculture and livestock farming. Others point out that it was mainly CDU/CSU ministers over the past decades who shaped agricultural policy at both federal and state levels.
Most spokespeople from agricultural organizations have distanced themselves from the violent blockade in Biberach in recent days. Many state branches of farmer organizations fear that supporters of right-wing extremist parties will join their farmer protests and cause them to spiral out of control.