Farmer Protests Intensify in Germany, Over 40% of Population may Join

More than 40% of German nationals could envision participating in protests against the policies of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government, according to a poll conducted by the Institute for New Social Answers (INSA) for the German newspaper Bild on Tuesday.

The survey revealed that 45% of respondents could consider taking their dissatisfaction with the current government to the streets, while approximately 40% stated they would not participate in protests.

Among supporters of the Free Democratic Party in the ruling coalition, about 48% indicated they might be willing to engage in street protests against their party’s policies. In contrast, supporters of Scholz’s Social Democratic Party and the Alliance 90/The Greens coalition demonstrated more loyalty, with 66% and 69% respectively having no intention of joining protests.

Young people emerged as the most protesting age group, with 52% of individuals aged between 18 and 29 expressing a willingness to participate in protests.

The survey, conducted on Monday, polled 1,001 Germans. The results come amid a week of protests by German farmers opposing government plans to abolish diesel subsidies, which began in December 2023. The German government’s announcement to eliminate diesel subsidies for farmers, aiming to bring 440 million euros ($481 million) to the federal budget, triggered widespread farmer protests throughout the country. Despite government statements about a gradual reduction in diesel subsidies and maintaining vehicle tax breaks for forestry and agriculture, farmers have continued their protests and strikes.country.