The farmers, who have been protesting for weeks, signaled an end to their demonstrations if the German traffic light government refrains from burdening the industry. The government has it in its own hands, said the president of the farmers’ association, Joachim Rukwied, on Monday at a large demonstration in Berlin. If she rowed back, the tractors would pull away. “Too much is too much. Take back the suggestions.”
Picture gallery: Thousands of farmers protest in Berlin
Farmers’ protests in Berlin (Photo: AFP/JOHN MACDOUGALL) Bild 1/20
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“It can not go on like this”
Rukwied called for a new beginning in front of an estimated 30,000 supporters. “It can not go on like this.” The demonstration is a signal to politicians. Besides the farmers The transport industry also demanded a rethink of politics. “Our industry has had enough too,” shouted the board spokesman of the Federal Association of Road Haulage Logistics and Disposal (BGL), Dirk Engelhardt, in the direction of the demonstrators. He also criticized the recently increased truck toll, which has since also included a surcharge for the emission of climate-damaging carbon dioxide (CO2).
Boos and whistles
Meanwhile, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner was loudly insulted and booed. Accompanied by whistles and shouts of protest, the FDP politician stepped in front of the lectern, but because of the noise he was only able to speak after a reassuring appeal from Rukwied. The assembled farmers continued to accompany his speech with loud shouts of “Get out!”, honking and whistling. Despite the loudspeaker transmission, Lindner could only be understood in fragments from a distance of a few hundred meters, as dpa reporters reported.
Thousands came to protest against the end of diesel benefits for agriculture farmers with tractors and other vehicles again in the government district Berlin came together. Farmers, craftsmen and freight forwarders gathered around the Brandenburg Gate. The police spoke of 8,500 participants in front of the Brandenburg Gate. The demonstrators are on site with more than 6,000 vehicles.
“Without farmers there is no future”
On the vehicles you could read slogans such as “Empty tank – get rid of the mouse”, “No future without farmers” and “Transport made in Germany – how much longer?”. Other banners spoke of government failure, injustice, embezzlement, nepotism and warmongering. On display was a model of a gallows with a traffic light hanging on it. At the Victory Column, demonstrators wore vests with the inscription “We are the people.”
Image: (APA/AFP/ODD ANDERSEN)
The major rally in Berlin is supposed to be the highlight of a week of action in which farmers across Germany have mobilized in recent days against the already weakened plans of the traffic light coalition. Lindner, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and other traffic light politicians had already signaled their understanding and willingness to engage in dialogue. However, no further concessions on agricultural diesel were in sight for the time being.
