Last Generation activists disrupt traffic across 26 German cities

Last Generation climate activists have set up street blockades at key locations in several German cities to demand more action from key German leaders on climate policy, reported dpa.

In cities such as Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden and Braunschweig, protesters glued themselves to roads on Friday.

Some were wearing masks depicting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Transport Minister Volker Wissing and Economics Minister Robert Habeck and held up banners reading "We are breaking the law."

The group explained that the protest was drawing attention to the government's "breaking of the climate protection law."

This refers to Germany's Climate Action Law, which sets a legally binding target of achieving climate neutrality by 2045 and reducing carbon emissions.

Across Germany, at least 36 sit-in protests were planned in 26 cities, according to Last Generation.

"The federal government is breaking the law and leading our society into collapse," said the group's spokeswoman, Carla Rochel. "It is our democratic duty to peacefully resist this."

Broadly, the group advocates for a Citizens' Assembly which develops measures to phase out the use of fossil fuels in Germany by 2030. Its immediate demands are simply a speed limit of 100 kilometres per hour on German motorways and a permanent €9 ($10.10) ticket for buses and trains.

Some of their more provocative protests such as abseiling from motorway bridges and throwing food at a Claude Monet painting have sparked debate in recent months. Many leading politicians, including Scholz, have slammed their actions.