Protesters gather ahead of Davos forum

Protesters gather ahead of Davos forum
Protesters gather ahead of Davos forum

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Davos to demonstrate against the World Economic Forum's annual meeting. The protest included a two-day demonstration hike from Küblis to the Swiss mountain resort, drawing approximately 350 participants primarily from Switzerland and Germany, with demonstrators also joining from Belgium, Portugal, England, and Peru.

Among the notable protesters were German-Austrian millionaire Marlene Engelhorn, who recently gave away most of her inheritance, and British millionaire Phil White from Patriotic Millionaires. Protesters carried signs demanding higher taxation of the wealthy and criticizing colonial capitalism, temporarily blocking the road to Davos before police intervention.

The five-day WEF meeting will host over 3,000 participants, including more than 60 heads of state and government. Key attendees include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and China's Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang. Former US President Donald Trump, who will be sworn in as the 47th president, is scheduled to address the forum virtually. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will deliver a speech.

The agenda focuses on global geopolitical and economic uncertainty, trade tensions, climate goals, and artificial intelligence's potential benefits. Protesters criticized the WEF's lack of democratic oversight, with activist Alex Sattler calling for the forum's closure, arguing that deals made there escape democratic control.

The annual gathering, established in 1971, transforms the ski resort into a conference center where business executives, politicians, and other influential figures convene to discuss global challenges. This year's meeting occurs amid heightened attention due to Trump's return to the White House and growing concerns about economic inequality and climate change.