German farmers blockade roads nationwide to protest subsidy cuts, stirring tensions
• Farmers across Germany have blocked roads and highways with tractors to protest planned cuts to agricultural subsidies. Protest signs reference far-right politics.
• In Berlin, tractors blocked the avenue to Brandenburg Gate, blasting horns to signal the start of a week of protest actions.
• The protests come amid a wave of industrial action over wages in Germany as inflation erodes incomes. Rail workers will strike next.
• Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck warned fringe groups could hijack the protests after seeing extremist symbols. The government has partially walked back some planned subsidy cuts.
• A poll found 91% of respondents think the farmers' protests are justified, but the government says it must lead and can't satisfy everyone.