Farmers, who oppose the phasing out of a diesel subsidy, excluded a ferry in Schlitziel, northern Germany, carrying Finance Minister and Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck, an action condemned by members of the government.

Nearly 30 farmers blocked the approach of the ferry carrying Hambek, who was on holiday on Halih Hooge, a tourist island in the North Sea, on Thursday night, a police spokesman said today.

After a failed attempt to hold talks with the protesters, the minister decided to stay on board and return to Khalih Hooge. Once calm was restored, the minister was able to return to the mainland today at 02:50 (Greece time), according to police.

About 100 farmers with their tractors took part in this protest action, which the police broke up by using tear gas, but without making any arrests.

The ban is “disgraceful and violates the rules of democratic coexistence,” said government spokesman Stephen Hembestright in a post on the X platform.

Agriculture Minister Cem Ozdemir, who pledged to farmers to amend the government’s plans, denounced this morning on public broadcaster ZDF this action by “a minority” of people who “do not act for German agriculture” but have “dreams of rebellion” ”, which is “not acceptable”.

Foreign ministers Analena Burbock (Greens) and Interior Minister Nancy Fesser (Social Democratic Party) also denounced this “breach” of the limits of democracy.

Chancellor Soltz also denounced the incident with Habeck, who is a member of the Greens, calling it shameful. “With all due respect to protest culture, no one should remain indifferent in the face of such an ebullition of political morals,” he wrote early this morning on the X platform.

The farmers’ action came after the German government on Thursday partially abandoned plans to cut fuel subsidies for the agricultural sector. The diesel subsidy for farmers will be phased out by 2026 rather than all at once as originally planned.

But that is not enough for the farmers, who are planning a week of anti-government demonstrations from January 8 to 15, backed by their trade union.