‘Leave her alone!’ EU boss Juncker defends Merkel as Hamburg residents rage over G20 riots
BRUSSELS boss Jean-Claude Juncker today slammed those engaging in “unjustified and incomprehensible” complaints about the G20 riots, a group which includes local residents now carrying out a major clean up and repairs to their trashed city.
By NICK GUTTERIDGE, BRUSSELS CORRESPONDENT
Express.co.uk
Mon, Jul 10, 2017
The EU Commission chief tore into people questioning Angela Merkel’s decision to hold the major global gathering in the city, which is famous for its left-wing, anticapitalist scene.
Hamburg was ripped apart by four nights of riots throughout the summit, with protestors setting fire to cars, smashing up shops and building sites, looting supermarkets and shutting down schools.
Residents expressed immediate concern about the possibility of violence when Mrs Merkel announced their city would have to hold the meeting, but were assured it would help promote it on the global stage.
However, worry very quickly turned to open fury against the Chancellor as their homes and businesses were trashed, with the rioters doing millions of pounds worth of damage in a four day rampage.
The situation got so bad that the 20,000 strong local police force was overwhelmed and had to call in reinforcements from elsewhere in the country, with hundreds of officers injured in clashes.
Residents, police unionists, politicians and the media in Germany have all heavily criticised Mrs Merkel and the city’s mayor Olaf Scholz over the carnage with calls growing for the latter to resign.
Locals are especially angry that the police were unable to protect their homes and properties because they were so pre-occupied ensuring that none of the visiting dignitaries came to harm.
And today Mr Juncker risked controversy by firing off an angry statement defending the German chancellor, although he also voiced “fullest respect and appreciation” for local residents involved in the clean up operation.
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