01/15/2024 09:39 (current 01/15/2024 09:39)
There will be another protest on Monday ©APA/dpa
Farmer protests against the planned end to the benefits of diesel for German agriculture are currently at their peak. On Monday, around noon (11:30 am), thousands of participants are expected in a large demonstration in Berlin. Speeches by representatives of professional associations are planned. German Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) is also expected to speak at the rally.
Farmers' associations and the Federal Association of Road Transport Logistics and Waste Management called for the large demonstration. Around 5,000 tractors and agricultural machinery from across Germany are expected to gather at the rally. In addition, around 10 thousand people were registered. It is the climax of a week of action against the government's plan. Protests were also announced in other locations in Germany, such as Chemnitz, Freiburg and Bitburg.
Early in the morning, several participants set off on tractors towards the center of Berlin. Slogans such as “Empty tank – dead mouse”, “No future without farmers” and “Transport made in Germany – how much longer?” could be read in vehicles. Other tracks spoke of government failure, resistance to injustice, embezzlement, clientelism and warmongering.
However, the rally area on Straße des 17. Juni was already closed on Sunday evening. The next arrivals would be directed to an alternative area at the Olympic Stadium. Severe traffic delays are expected across the city on Monday.
Minister Lindner dampened expectations in advance that the subsidy cuts would be completely eliminated. Green Party leader Britta Haßelmann made similar comments.
The presidents of the SPD, Greens and FDP traffic light factions also invited the leaders of the agricultural associations for a discussion this Monday. Approval of the federal budget for 2024 by the Bundestag and planned cuts in agricultural diesel are still pending.
The German government wants to gradually abolish tax incentives for agricultural diesel. The government wants to forego the originally planned abolition of the vehicle tax exemption for agriculture. However, the German Farmers Association calls for a complete reversal of the cuts. “The promotion of agricultural diesel and exemption from taxes on vehicles are essential for competitive agriculture,” he stated.