Law enforcement in Switzerland disperse over three hundred demonstrators opposed to the Davos summit.
Demostrators take to the streets of Davos, protesting the World Economic Forum
Amidst the glamour of the sparkling mountain resort, demonstrators united, their voices echoing against the backdrop of controversy. Armed with placards bearing slogans like "Tax the rich," "Shut up! Pay taxes," and "Smash colonial capitalism," they blocked the road to the World Economic Forum (WEF) gathering.
Ignoring two warnings from the Graubünden cantonal police, these protesters stood their ground, causing a significant traffic disruption. police intervention was inevitable. According to a police spokeswoman, authorities deployed a specialized vehicle to clear the highway before the WEF's Monday start.
Among the demonstrators was Marlene Engelhorn, a renowned Austrian-German heiress, who made headlines by giving away a significant portion of her multi-million-euro inheritance to various organizations focused on social issues. She accused the WEF of symbolizing the excessive power held by the wealthy, revealing that her fortune allows her to influence politicians worldwide with her political preferences.
"Because being born millionaires or getting lucky doesn't make us self-made - we now have the means to manipulate the world's agenda," she elaborated. "This event is an enormous lobbying effort, shrouded in a lack of transparency with no accountability... I believe we need accountability, transparency, and democracy."
The anti-WEF sentiment wasn't limited to Engelhorn. Phil White, a British member of the Patriotic Millionaires, was also present at Sunday's protest.
The WEF, founded in 1971, has long been a platform that hosts hundreds of business executives, politicians, and other influential figures over a week. Despite the event's star-studded lineup, it remains a target of criticism. The forum is often accused of catering to a plutocracy, with the so-called "broligarchy" surrounding US President-elect Donald Trump raising concerns. Billionaire Elon Musk, for instance, is part of this inner circle.
This year, over 60 heads of state and government are expected to attend the WEF, with Trump scheduled to address it via videolink on January 23, just three days after his inauguration for a second term.
The WEF is under scrutiny for its perceived lack of transparency, its potential to serve corporate interests above public welfare, and environmental concerns, such as the pollution caused by private jets attending the summit. Critics argue that despite discussions on climate action and renewable energy, the WEF's approach might not be as effective or transparent as necessary. The influence of corporate sponsors and participants can sometimes obscure genuine environmental commitment, according to some critics.
- Marlene Engelhorn, a heiress from Austria and Germany, joined the protest against the World Economic Forum (WEF), accusing it of symbolizing excessive power held by the wealthy.
- Engelhorn further criticized the WEF for being a lobbying effort with no accountability and transparency, stating that her fortune allows her to influence policies and legislations around the world.
- The protest against the WEF wasn't limited to Engelhorn; Phil White, a British member of the Patriotic Millionaires, was also present at Sunday's demonstration.
- Critics argue that the WEF's approach to climate action and renewable energy might not be as effective or transparent as needed, with corporate sponsors and participants sometimes obscuring genuine environmental commitment.
