German anti-coal activists storm Green politician's office

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In support of a major anti-coal protest, Climate activists occupied the regional office of Germany's Vice Chancellor on Thursday, accusing the Green party politician of betrayal.

The Ende Gelaende group announced on Twitter that it had broken into the office of Economy Minister Robert Habeck in the northern town of Flensburg.

"We stand in solidarity with all the people who are defending Luetzerath!" the group said, posting images of an open window with a banner hanging beneath it.

When the government decided in 2022 to proceed with plans to demolish the western town of Luetzerath to allow the expansion of a nearby coal mine, it became a flashpoint for climate protests.

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Despite a pledge to phase out coal by 2030, the government – a coalition that includes the Greens – blamed the energy crisis on the war in Ukraine.

On Wednesday, police began evicting around 200 anti-coal activists from the town, an operation that is expected to take several weeks.

"Robert Habeck is largely responsible for the violent eviction of Luetzerath," Ende Gelaende said, adding that even phasing out coal by 2030 was "not compatible with the Paris climate agreement."

"The Greens have thus once again betrayed their own ideals," the group said.

Read next: 'Green'-oriented Germany to demolish village for coal mine

Police on Thursday continued with efforts to oust the protesters.

Activists have constructed structures high in the trees, and others have climbed to the tops of abandoned buildings and barns to complicate the evacuation effort.

According to a police spokesperson in nearby Aachen, some protesters threw paint pellets and fireworks at officers. Police also reported that they were checking reports of an underground tunnel system beneath the site. 

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