Over a thousand people demonstrate in Erfurt against social cuts

Well over a thousand people protested against social cuts in Erfurt. The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) called under the motto “Hard earned! Your work. Your health. Your pension.” for a nationwide day of action. According to the DGB, 4,000 people took part in the Thuringian state capital. The police, however, spoke of a peak of 1,900 participants.

The demonstration started in the morning with speeches at the main train station. The demonstrators then marched across the Juri-Gagarin-Ring and the Hirschgarten to the rally at Anger.

Rallies in 15 major cities

In addition to Erfurt, rallies were planned in 14 other major cities. The Left had announced that they would take part in the protests - also in Erfurt. The focus of the protests is the federal government's reform plans in the areas of work, health and pensions.

“The economic problems of our country cannot be solved with social reforms at the expense of employees and restrictions on employee rights,” said the deputy DGB federal chairman Stefan Körzell, according to the statement. It is important to invest more, reduce energy prices and promote innovation in the industry. “Security and good work are not an obstacle to growth, but rather the basis for a sustainable economic recovery.” Politics must ensure more justice, he demanded.

The DGB and its eight member unions claim to represent 5.4 million members.