Police said they detained over a dozen people and prevented the protesters from getting through to the Sejm, the Polish parliament.
Farmers are angry over European Union climate policies and food imports from Ukraine that they say threaten their livelihoods. Such protests have occurred across the 27-member EU in recent weeks, but this one was decidedly angrier than earlier demonstrations in the central European nation.
Farmers on tractors blocked highways leading into Warsaw while thousands of their supporters gathered in front of the prime minister's office before marching to the parliament. Some trampled a European Union flag
Farmers were joined by miners, foresters, hunters and other supporters. They blew horns and set off firecrackers and smoke bombs, despite police warnings that the use of pyrotechnics was banned. Some protesters burned tires.
Farmers were joined by miners, foresters, hunters and other supporters. They blew horns and set off firecrackers and smoke bombs, despite police warnings that the use of pyrotechnics was banned. Some protesters burned tires.
Hungary will join them today. There will be a 3 days demonstration in Budapest starting tuday. I did not expect anything violent, but it is a good sign how the bitterness and anger is growing across the EU. There is no doubt anymore, EU leaders does not care about their own.
ReplyDeleteDemonstrations were mostly peaceful, but there was a small group of provocateurs that start to riot and attack Police securing the protest in Warsaw. Both Polish Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Sejm and Ministry of Agriculture are actually supporting farmers demands to regulate trade with EU-Ukraine, close border for agricultural products from Belarus and Russia (there is steady increase of grain import from Russia to EU much larger than Ukrainian), suspend some elements of green reforms in EU. Also there is less know problem with influx of agricultural products from China. There are people that are paid for making a riot (like different unions members are offered a 200 polish zloty for "food expense" if they will travel to Warsaw for demonstration) or people that actually work for Russia to heat up situation as one of know companion of Russian Federation ambassador did appear on demonstrations carrying anti-Ukraine banner... pretending to be farmer. Overall whole situation is used to heat up more anti-EU sentiments by Russian PsychOps, the more discontent the better for Kreml after all. Also it is used by former ruling Party sympathizers to make problems for current government, they did sign the Green Deal and did nothing in case of unregulated influx of Ukrainian grain in to Poland (someone probably make some good $$$ on that that part did go to Party pockets) you know the usual political stuff. Some thing are easier to do, some harder... like ban on import from Russia meet resistance from nations that buy a lot from them like Spain or Italy. Some others will block such resolution because they are on Kreml leash, like Hungary or Slovakia. Ironically suspend of some Green regulations and giving more financial support to farmers is the easiest thing to do. As always, complex problems, complex situation, easy to be used to make a shitstorm.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reporting! I had no idea there is cargo from China coming across the border!
DeleteI hadn't even considered how much Russia is doing to sell their stuff, AND cause a shut down of Ukrainian imports, that TOTALLY makes sense!
Russia sure would like it if Ukraine could no longer sell to Europe!
Oh yes, the unions do that sneaky pay off to hired help to cause problems here too! Even riots!
Changing the public opinion of something, is a lot easier when it seems to cause a problem, and when it isn't, a union will pay people to make it LOOK like it is!
Dang, you KNOW what is going on! Thank you!