News Politics
German farmers' protest continues despite assistance
The German government has renounced the abrupt end to the exemption from diesel excise duties in the agricultural sector. Berlin has chosen to slowly phase out the scheme. In addition, the government has decided not to remove an exemption from road tax for agricultural vehicles. However, the German agricultural sector wants all measures off the table and is continuing the announced protests.
The reforms were intended to close a gap in the budget. However, this soon turned out to be a sore leg for the agricultural sector. For understandable reasons, because according to the CDU the measure costs an average farm €4.000. Following the Dutch example, farmers moved en masse tractors to the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. The German agricultural interest group DBV declared next week a protest week, culminating in a new protest in Berlin.
In response, the German government decided to phase out the exceptional positions more slowly. From 2026, the schemes will disappear entirely. In addition, the government decided not to remove the exemption from road tax for agricultural vehicles. The DBV is not satisfied with the compromise and demands that all measures be taken off the table. The organization has announced that the protests will continue.
Unrest is growing
It became clear on Thursday evening that tempers have not yet calmed down. A group of about a hundred farmers tried to seek redress from German Economics Minister Robert Habeck. He returned from a holiday on the Wadden Island Hooge and found himself on a ferry. The farmers were not allowed in and the ferry turned back.
Matthew Bremer
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