Tens of thousands demonstrate in Germany against EU-US trade deal

Tens of thousands of people marched through downtown Berlin on Saturday to protest a planned trans-Atlantic free trade pact.

Police said around 100,000 took part in the demonstration, while organisers claimed 250,000 turned out, banging on drums, chanting slogans and waving signs and flags opposing the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.

Germany’s government has pushed the deal, saying it will boost the global economy and give smaller and mid-sized companies a better chance at competing on the world market while reducing bureaucracy.