Frustrated farmers continue to cause turmoil in Germany. After Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) was prevented from leaving the ferry by angry farmers on Friday evening, Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) appealed on Saturday: “Do not allow yourself to be infiltrated and exploited. You are lost, please return!
The dangerous situation Habeck was placed in was “completely unacceptable”. “The damage to property, including the announced blockades, is disproportionate,” Lindner said, referring to past protests and those announced for the coming week. As usual, there can only be one consequence here: “Breach of the peace, coercion, damage to property – these are matters for the public prosecutor.”
Agriculture is not an industry like any other, because it has something to do with basic services. “This society has a responsibility for agriculture. But conversely, agriculture also has a responsibility for this society,” Lindner emphasizes.
Farmers are protesting against the government’s austerity plans
The farmers’ protest was sparked by the German federal government’s austerity plans in the agricultural sector. However, the initially planned abolition of the exemption from motor vehicle tax has now been cancelled. Subsidies for agricultural diesel should be gradually phased out.
Lindner defended the planned subsidy cuts. “Especially an industry that is so heavily subsidized at European and national level will not be able to avoid any contribution to consolidation.” On the one hand, you cannot want to benefit from the now reduced electricity tax and demand additional financing for stable conversions and, on the other hand, hold on to old subsidies. “If you want new subsidies, you also have to get rid of old ones,” Lindner emphasized.
Criticism, but also understanding for farmers
The Union’s conservative opposition parties are backing farmers’ participation in next week’s planned protests, even as the federal government has largely reversed planned cuts in the agricultural sector. The regional group leader of the CSU, Alexander Dobrindt, criticized the blockade of the ferry by Economic Affairs Minister Habeck. But he understands the farmers’ protests.
He described the Habeck incident as an “impossible” derailment “that should not happen this way.” Protesting farmers had blocked a ferry pier in the North Sea port of Schlüttsiel with their tractors and prevented the Minister of Economic Affairs from leaving the ferry. Some even wanted to storm the ship. Habeck could not go ashore until Friday evening.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
