Farmers block roads across Germany to protest against subsidy cuts

In Berlin, dozens of tractors blast their horns and block the main avenue leading to the Brandenburg Gate.

Farmers have blocked roads with tractors across Germany, kicking off a week of protests against plans to phase out agricultural subsidies that ministers have warned could be co-opted by the far right.

Convoys of tractors and trucks – some with protest banners reading, “No beer without farmers,” and some with posters from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party – gathered on German roads in sub-zero temperatures on Monday.

In Berlin, dozens of tractors blasted their horns and blocked the main avenue leading to the Brandenburg Gate to signal the start of a planned week of actions.

Police said roads and highway slip roads were blocked in multiple locations nationwide, including several border crossings with France.

Workers in sectors across Germany from transport to education have turned to industrial action in recent weeks.