German farmers in massive protests

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Farmers with hundreds of tractors take part in a protest rally in Augsburg, southern Germany, on January 10. (Peter Kneffel/dpa via AP)

German farmers protesting at the planned reduction in agricultural subsidies have taken an aggressive approach to getting their point across.

They have blocked and jammed highways and streets in the national capital and set up protests at shopping centres, tourist attractions and even outside the opera.

In response to the German Government’s austerity plans, the farmers’ association has called for a week of action with rallies. It is due to culminate in a large demonstration in the capital Berlin on January 15.

Convoys of tractors and trucks gathered on roads in winter temperatures in most of the 16 federal states, while protesters clashed with police.

Angry farmers attempted to storm a ferry carrying Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, who was returning from holiday last week.

He warned that farmers' right to protest could be exploited by fringe groups.

Tractors stand queued up in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, with the TV tower in the background, during a nationwide farmers’ strike.
A banner hangs on a tractor during a nationwide farmers’ strike, in Berlin, Germany.
Tractors take over Berlin’s streets.
Farmers stand next to a banner reading ‘You shut down our fields, we shut down your roads’ during a protest at the Opera House in Berlin.
German farmers demonstrate at the Odeonsplatz square during a nationwide farmers' strike, in Munich, Germany.
Tractors queue in Juni St in front of the Brandenburg Gate during a farmers’ protest in Berlin, Germany.