German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel has received applause – and some criticism – after flipping the bird at a group of neo-Nazis.

A video posted online shows Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel making the gesture of disdain at the far-right protesters in the central German town of Salzgitter on Friday.

The clip shows about 10 far-right protesters holding placards accusing Chancellor Angela Merkel’s deputy of being a “race traitor” and praising Gabriel’s late father, a committed Nazi.

At first, the leader of the centre-left Social Democratic Party is seen laughing at the demonstrators before raising his middle finger and turning away.

While some on social media criticised Gabriel for his coarse reaction, many praised the gesture, with one user on Facebook commenting: “I can’t like that often enough.”