The protest of the German countryside against the cut in agricultural subsidies, which for a week has blocked roads and streets throughout the country, culminated this Monday in the capital. More than 8,500 protesters, including farmers and truck drivers – who endorse the protest against the increase in tolls that impact transport – converged on Berlin with 3,000 tractors and 2,000 heavy vehicles, with which they occupied the avenue in front of the gate. Brandenburg, in the government district.
The Minister of Finance, the liberal Christian Lindner, took the stage to address those who, with freezing temperatures, trust that the coalition government of Social Democrats, Greens and Liberals of Chancellor Olaf Scholz will modify its plan to cut diesel subsidies. Farm Equipment. Lindner, who was received with boos, assured them that the State cannot assume more debt and promised, in return, to lighten the bureaucracy that also burdens the countryside.
The liberal minister also reminded them that the Executive had already made some modifications. Indeed, on January 4, faced with the growth of rural discontent, the Government decided that, instead of abruptly ending the tax exemption on agricultural diesel as the tripartite initially wanted, the cut would be progressive: the subsidy would be reduced by 40% this year, 30% in 2025 and will end in 2026. The Executive also agreed to maintain preferential treatment in the tax on vehicles for forestry and agriculture.
But this does not satisfy the farmers. “The sooner the German Government finds a solution to withdraw its plans, the sooner the farmers will leave the streets,” the president of the German Farmers Association (DBV), Joachim Rukwied, also warned on the platform.
