Protests by “kovid dissidents” in Germany are becoming more radical and are increasingly likely to lead to clashes with the police. The day before police in Munich had to use rubber truncheons and pepper spray against protesters, reports Spiegel online.
According to media reports, about five thousand people went to an unsanctioned rally in the Bavarian capital. It was one of the most massive in the country in recent times. It should be reminded that the authorities of this federal state from the beginning of the pandemic have taken a course on the extremely strict restrictions in the fight against the “crown”. For the second year in a row the Bavarians were left without Oktoberfest, the main holiday. Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter also canceled the main Christmas market at Marienplatz – the citizens were offered to buy Christmas souvenirs and mulled wine online.
The demonstration of many thousands in Munich coincided with the decision of Berlin and the prime ministers of the states to limit contacts even for vaccinated citizens from December 28. As reporters reported from the thick of the crowd, the protesters refused on principle to keep their distance and wear masks, ignoring law enforcement’s calls to disperse. The aggressive group managed to break through the police cordon, one journalist was beaten. As a result, police detained 11 people and opened 14 criminal cases for assault, knife-threatening and display of anti-constitutional symbols, Die Welt noted.
After a meeting with regional leaders, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz assured his compatriots that there would be no new lockdown. However, only a day later he admitted that nothing can be ruled out because of the “Omicron” strain. At the same time, the leader of the German Liberals, Finance Minister Christian Lindner, opposed the general line within the coalition. According to him, the “social and economic costs” of a possible quarantine would be too high. “Many people are again afraid of loneliness, of closing schools, of losing the financial ground beneath their feet,” the politician acknowledged. He also said that it is unacceptable to pressure the Bundestag by forcing deputies to vote for mandatory vaccinations.
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