Protests against Hartz IV reforms

The Protests against Hartz IV reforms in Germany were aimed at the 2004 Hartz IV reform, which provide significant cutbacks in social welfare benefits for long-term (over 12 months) unemployed persons.

In two weeks, over 100,000 people marched in over 100 German cities and towns, mostly in Eastern Germany (the former GDR).

Neo-fascists started using the agitation of workless people for their propaganda.

Some considered this adaption to be political abuse, pointing out that these reforms are a "necessary evil" to deal with a crisis in the welfare system, and regard it as inadequate that protests for democracy are turned into protests for more social benefits.

The supporters of the rallies denounce this criticism as an attempt to stifle the protests of the affected people.