Germany: Protests against compulsory vaccination

Partly episodic marches across the country. “Fascist” gathering outside the minister’s residence. Two-thirds of Germans are in favor of compulsory vaccination.

Thousands rallied in several German cities on Saturday against the imposition of mandatory vaccinations. The largest demonstration took place with 5,000 people in Hamburg. Σε ορισμένες από τις πορείες σημειωθήκαν επεισόδια με αντιδιαδηλωτές και σε άλλες, όπως στη Φρανκφούρτη, η αστυνομία διάλυσε τη διαδήλωση, επειδή οι συμμετέχοντες δεν τηρούσαν ούτε την απαιτούμενη απόσταση, ούτε φορούσαν μάσκες. Σε πορεία μερικών εκατοντάδων στο Βερολίνο, η οποία πραγματοποιήθηκε παρ΄ ότι είχε απαγορευτεί από την αστυνομία, διαδηλωτές επιτέθηκαν σε δημοσιογράφους τραυματίζοντας τρεις από αυτούς. Among the attackers were well-known members of neo-Nazi organizations.

Zeehofer: “Organized intimidation of a representative of the state”

Dozens of opponents of the mandatory vaccination with torches, whistles and posters protested in Germany on Friday night outside the residence of Saxon Health Minister Petra Kπινpping, a Social Democrat politician. The rally was condemned by representatives of all parties except the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Social Democrat co-chair Norbert Walter-Borgans spoke of a “fascist presence”, while Interior Minister Horst Seehofer told Bild on Sunday that the rally was not a “legitimate protest” but “an organized intimidation of a state representative”. This reminds him of the “darkest chapters in German history”. Mr. Zeehofer apparently means the period of the Nazi regime from 1933 to 1945. For a long time now, the Federal Secret Service for the Protection of the Constitution has been warning that the imposition of compulsory vaccination will strengthen the aggressive dispositions of the coronaviruses. Because they believe that Germany is heading towards a dictatorship, they consider the resistance to be legitimate.

High percentage in favor of compulsory vaccination

However, almost 2/3 of Germans are in favor of general compulsory vaccination. In a YouGov poll, 63% of respondents support the measure, while 30% reject it. A year ago, a different picture prevailed. In December 2020, when the first vaccinations were started, only 33% supported the mandatory vaccination for the entire population, while 56% were against.

Panagiotis Kouparanis, Berlin

Source: Deutsche Welle