Chancellor Olaf Scholz worried about the rise of extremism

He expressed concern about calls for violence that threaten democracy. Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned on Saturday January 13 against “the extremists” who seek to exploit social mobilizations in Germany, first and foremost that of farmers. “When protests, which are legitimate in themselves, turn into anger or contempt for democratic processes and institutions, we all lose. Only those who despise our democracy will benefit.”warned the German leader in a written and video message.

Evoking “tractors that block city centers, roads and highway access” since the beginning of the week throughout Germany, Olaf Scholz emphasizes that “dispute is part of democracy”. However, he adds, “anger is stoked in a targeted manner (…) Extremists, including through social media, despise all compromise and poison all democratic debate”.

The demonstrations by German farmers, who are protesting against cuts in public aid, are notably supported by the far-right AfD party, which is gaining momentum in the polls. Many extremist groups are also calling on social networks for increased actions against the government of Olaf Scholz. The chancellor says he is grateful to the president of the Farmers’ Union, Joachim Rukwied, “to have clearly distanced ourselves from the extremists and certain opportunists who trumpet calls for insurrection and talk about ‘overthrowing the system'”.