In Germany, farmers blocked roads and drivers did not go to work
The drivers' union is demanding higher wages, and farmers are demanding that the government stop cutting subsidies
A wave of strikes has swept across Germany. In particular, drivers of freight and passenger trains began a three-day protest, which led to disruptions in rail service across the country. At the same time, German farmers continue to block roads in protest against the planned reduction of subsidies, the BBC reports.
According to the national railroad operator Deutsche Bahn (DB), about 80% of long-distance trains have been canceled.
The train drivers' union is demanding higher wages and a reduction in working hours for train drivers from 38 to 35 hours a week.
Deutsche Bahn says it cannot afford to meet these demands.
The drivers' protest forced millions of passengers to cancel their travel plans.
The strike began on January 10 and is scheduled to end on Friday, January 12 at 18:00 local time.
The train drivers' strike comes at the same time as German farmers' protests, which have been going on since December last year.
Since Monday, farmers have been blocking some highway entrances with their tractors and holding rallies in cities and towns. The protests have also caused serious traffic difficulties.
For several weeks now, farmers have been negotiating with the German government, which late last year took several tough measures aimed at reducing its budget deficit.
Among other things, the government intended to abolish subsidies for diesel fuel. After massive protests by farmers, the government agreed to soften the budgetary austerity measures, in particular, it decided to abolish the subsidies in stages.
However, this did not help to calm farmers down, and they continue to demand that the government completely abandon the subsidy cuts.
The far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) supports the farmers' demands.
Against the backdrop of the strikes, the German press often writes about serious contradictions between the members of the ruling coalition, which consists of the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Free Democrats.
In the mayoral elections in Germany, a candidate from the far-right AfD party won for the first time.
German Interior Minister Nancy Feser said that the transportation difficulties faced by residents due to the farmers' protests would "cause anger and divisions."
In response, the German Farmers' Association (DBV) called on the government to abandon plans to cut farm subsidies.
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