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Thousands of angry German farmers took to the streets
Today (Monday, December 18) there are hundreds or even thousands of tractors in the German capital. Farmers from all states are protesting against the abolition of the tax benefit on diesel and the disappearance of the exception to paying road tax. This will generate billions for the German treasury. Farmers refuse to cough it up.
The tri-power in the German Bundestag has a financial gap of €17 billion to close for the coming year. Money from a Covid-19 pot intended for this purpose was blocked by the higher court. As a result, agriculture minister, the 'green' Cem Özdemir, proposed eliminating tax benefits for farmers. Naturally, much to the anger of the sector.
In a nutshell. #Bauernprotest #Bauernaufstand pic.twitter.com/tzfE6QIDIf
— HB. (@hei_bu) December 16, 2023
Billion in costs
A large farmers' protest is taking place today around the Brandenburg Gate. Joachim Rukwied, chairman of the German farmers' association DBV, is furious about the proposed measures, he says in the German press. Farmers and contractors in the country can currently claim back the excise duties on diesel they use in their tractors and agricultural machinery. They are also exempt from paying road tax. Reversing these benefits will cost the sector €1 billion per year, the DBV calculates.
The three political parties that govern Germany looked for rules that would have a bad effect on the climate to close their budget gap. According to them, subsidizing diesel is one of them. Christian Lindner, Minister of Finance, says he is open to alternatives if they exist. According to the CDU, it costs an average farm in Germany €4.000 annually.
#Bauernprotest pic.twitter.com/dlD0JASxhE
— Henrijs_DE (@HenrijsDE) December 18, 2023
More cities
Not only in Berlin but also in Leipzig, farmers are taking to the streets today. About three hundred trekkers are expected there. In the capital, that number rises to at least a thousand trekkers, German media report. Four years ago, angry farmers also moved to the capital, following the actions in our country. Then there were demonstrations against the increasingly strict rules.
Niels van der Boom
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