A few weeks ago, German farmers organized a massive protest against the government’s plans to cut diesel subsidies and tax breaks for agricultural vehicles next year as part of Berlin’s 2024 austerity measures.
The protests continued through Monday, centering on the government district in Berlin.
An estimated 30,000 protesters, including farmers supported by a wide range of representatives from other industries from fishing to gastronomy to logistics, blocked the streets around the government quarter on Monday with their vehicles, including lorries and forklift trucks, and even children’s toy tractors.Joachim Rukwied, the president of the German farmers’ union, called on the government to scrap its plans to phase out fuel subsidies, warning that many farmers would be driven to bankruptcy by the decision.“The government has the ability to change this,” he told thousands of protesters gathered at the Brandenburg Gate, adding: “This much is too much. Take back the proposals.” As soon as the government signalled it was prepared to backtrack, Rukwied promised, “the tractors will be withdrawn”.
The government has already given concessions, and Monday’s event is reportedly the climax of this series of demonstrations.
They are not satisfied with concessions the government has already made. On January 4, it watered down its original plan, saying that a car tax exemption for farming vehicles would be retained and the cuts in the diesel tax breaks would be staggered over three years.The chairman of the German Farmers’ Association, Joachim Rukwied, said: “Take back the proposed tax increases, then we’ll pull back.”He said the demonstration sent a message to politicians that “too much is too much”.“We are an important part of Germany – please don’t forget that,” he said.
Germany’s Finance Minister Christian Lindner took to the stage in Berlin to inform the farmers and their supporters that there was no money for further subsidies. His message proved unpopular with the crowd.
“I can’t promise you more state aid from the federal budget,” Lindner told the crowd from a chilly stage in front of the Brandenburg Gate. “But we can fight together for you to enjoy more freedom and respect for your work.”…Facing a backlash, the government has already said it would maintain a tax rebate on new agricultural vehicles and spread the scrapping of the agricultural diesel subsidy over several years.But farmers, with the vocal backing of the opposition conservatives and the far-right, say that is not enough.”I have respect for every politician who is prepared to come to us,” said Farmers’ Union head Joachim Rukwied, who at one moment had to take the microphone from Lindner and beg the crowd to stop jeering for long enough to listen to him.”The finance minister is here,” he said. “It makes no sense to boo him.”
Of course, in it’s reporting, the media continues to gin up fears about the “far-right” pouncing.
Multiple other protests are planned across the country, which come as Scholz’s coalition struggles to fix a budget crisis and official data showed Germany’s economy shrank last year for the first time since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.Now, many are warning that the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is capitalizing on the chaos for its own political gain.
German farmers aren’t the only European agriculturalists to be protesting, either. There are similar demonstrations in Romania, as well as protests planned in Poland and Bulgaria.
Apparently, such policies are helping Ukraine more than the nation’s farmers.
Romanian farmers and truckers resumed protests Monday after negotiations with the government failed Sunday, mirroring similar demonstrations in Germany. Their complaints are centered on subsidies and support that is suppose to be provided by their respective governments elated to policies supporting Ukraine.The protests, which began on January 10, have disrupted traffic in several cities, including the capital Bucharest, as farmers and truckers air grievances ranging from high taxes to delayed compensation payments….In Poland, farmers and truckers have been blocking border crossings with Ukraine since November, complaining of “unfair competition” from their Ukrainian counterparts and the loosening of European Union access rules for Ukrainian companies.Polish farmers lifted their border blockade last week but on Monday announced plans for a nationwide demonstration later this month. Farmers in Bulgaria have announced similar plans.
Helpful hint: When your policies hurt the people bringing food to your table, perhaps it is time to readjust your priorities.
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