Farmers’ protests against the planned end of diesel benefits for German agriculture are currently at their peak. About 10,000 participants are expected at a large demonstration in Berlin on Monday afternoon. The crowds are already enormous; According to the police, there is ‘nothing going on’ in the city center early in the morning. Speeches from representatives of professional associations are planned. German Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) will also speak at the meeting.
Farmers’ associations and the Federal Association for Road Transport Logistics and Waste Management called for the major demonstration. About 5,000 tractors and agricultural machines from all over Germany are expected to gather at the rally.
Highlight of the action week
In addition, approximately 10,000 people were registered. It is the culmination of a week of action against the government’s plan. Protests were also announced in other places in Germany, such as Chemnitz, Freiburg and Bitburg.
“Without farmers there is no future”
Early in the morning, numerous participants left on tractors for the center of Berlin. Slogans such as ‘Empty tank – that mouse’, ‘No future without farmers’ and ‘Transport made in Germany – how much longer?’ could be read on vehicles. Other banners spoke of government failure, resistance to injustice, embezzlement, cronyism and warmongering.
However, the rally site on Straße des 17. Juni was already closed on Sunday evening. Further arrivals would be directed to an alternative area in the Olympic Stadium. Severe traffic delays are expected across the city on Monday.
Lindner tempers expectations
Minister Lindner tempered expectations in advance that the subsidy cuts would be completely eliminated. The leader of the Green group, Britta Haßelmann, made similar comments. The chairmen of the traffic light factions SPD, Greens and FDP have also invited the leaders of the agricultural associations for a discussion next Monday. The Bundestag’s approval of the 2024 federal budget and the planned cuts in agricultural diesel are still pending.
The government wants to abolish tax benefits for agar diesel
The German government wants to gradually phase out tax benefits for agricultural diesel. The government wants to abandon the originally planned abolition of the exemption from motor vehicle tax for agriculture. However, the German Farmers’ Association is calling for a complete reversal of the cuts. “Promoting agricultural diesel exemption and motor vehicle tax exemption is essential for competitive agriculture,” the report said.
Source: Krone
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