Published: Just now
Thousands of farmers and environmentalists are protesting in The Hague – with tractors trying to enter the Dutch city and people blocking roads.
These are two simultaneous protests: on the one hand, farmers who oppose the government’s plans to reduce nitrate emissions, on the other hand, climate activists who are trying to prevent what they call state support for the fossil industry.
On Wednesday, the country’s provincial elections are held – which indirectly elect the upper house of the national parliament and thus can have an effect on the bills.
Police say they have already stopped a number of tractors moving towards the demonstration in The Hague – despite the city banning all but two “symbolic” tractors from participating in the protest, citing security concerns.
However, media reports claim that a large tractor convoy is on its way to The Hague. The authorities have deployed military vehicles in case tractors try to enter the city.
At the same time as the farmers are protesting in a park in the south of the city, demonstrators belonging to the activist group Extinction Rebellion are blocking a major road in the center. Mayor Jan van Zanen has given the police permission to use water cannons against the protesters.
The government wants to reduce emissions, mainly nitrates, by 50 percent by 2030. The proposal aims, among other things, to improve soil and water quality and warns that “not all farmers can continue their business”.