CNA Newsroom, Jan 8, 2024 / 13:45 pm
As farmers kicked off a week of protests Monday, causing widespread disruption across autobahns and other roads in Germany, the president of the German Bishops’ Conference issued a call for unity and peace amid a climate of growing social unrest.
“In times of challenge and change, it is crucial that we stand together and bridge our differences through dialogue and mutual understanding,” Bishop Georg Bätzing said, according to CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner.
The bishops’ conference president’s comments came before a backdrop of growing discontent in Germany, as the ruling coalition under Chancellor Olaf Scholz faces dwindling support amid a stagnating economy.
According to a statement from the German Farmers’ Association, a “week of action” will take place throughout Germany from Jan. 8–12, during which agriculture and the transport industry will demonstrate together under the motto “Too much is too much! Now is the time to stop!” A major demonstration is planned for Jan. 15 in Berlin, the German capital.