2024-01-15 14:10:39
Reduction of subsidies and backpedaling
Started a week ago, the great mobilization of farmers originated from the announcement last December of a reduction in subsidies to the sector due to a call to order from constitutional judges relating to the strict budgetary rules of the ‘Germany.
Also read: German farmers blockade the country
Faced with protests from the sector, the government coalition made up of social democrats, greens and liberals backpedaled somewhat at the start of the year, as Christian Lindner pointed out in his speech. The minister, who says he is close to the farmers because he is a “hunter”, told the unconvinced demonstrators that “their mobilization had already paid off”.
A farmer poses during the demonstration in Berlin, Monday January 15, 2024. — © Ebrahim Noroozi / keystone-sda.ch
The German government thus maintained the vehicle tax advantage for forestry and agriculture, which it wanted to cancel. In addition, it decided to gradually and not suddenly eliminate the tax advantage for agricultural diesel “in order to give the companies concerned more time to adapt”. Concessions without effect on the anger of the agricultural world.
“There’s the bouquet”
Read more: In Germany, Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof department stores in danger
According to a provisional police estimate, “well over 5,000 tractors” were in the capital, blocking streets and blaring their horns.
On the vehicles parked along the main Berlin avenue Unter den Linden, many slogans expressed their distrust against the tripartite coalition of Olaf Scholz called “traffic light” because of the colors symbolizing the parties which compose it.
“Turn off the traffic light, that’s enough,” was written on one of them. And on another: “The traffic light must clear”. Congratulating the demonstrators for their “pacifism”, Christian Lindner invited them “to discuss the overall situation of farmers in Germany”.
Far right in ambush
The mobilization of farmers increases the pressure on the government, whose approval rate has never been lower. The far right, which is on the rise, particularly in the east of the country, is seeking to take advantage of the farmers’ revolt.
The procession seen from the sky, in Berlin, Monday January 15, 2024. — © Ebrahim Noroozi / keystone-sda.ch
In a recent poll carried out for the daily Bild, 64% of Germans said they would like a change of executive. Different sectors, from metallurgy to education to transport, have organized protests in recent weeks, against a backdrop of sluggish growth and rising prices. The German economy contracted by 0.3% last year, according to data released on Monday.
Also read: In Germany, the far right at the top
Rail workers’ strikes paralyzed transport last week, while metalworkers and public sector workers staged walkouts in December to demand pay rises.
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