German Protests: 10K Farmers, 5K Tractors Gather in Berlin
On Monday, an estimated 10K farmers and 5K tractors and trucks gathered in Berlin as weeks-long protests against Germany's plans to abolish farming car and diesel tax breaks continued.
Facts
- On Monday, an estimated 10K farmers and 5K tractors and trucks gathered in Berlin as weeks-long protests against Germany's plans to abolish farming car and diesel tax breaks continued.1
- Last month, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government proposed eliminating tax breaks for the purchase of agricultural equipment and scrapping diesel fuel subsidies after Germany’s Constitutional Court ruled in November that COVID funds couldn't be redistributed to other areas. Therefore, the government had to cut tens of billions of dollars in spending.2
- The initial backlash prompted the German government to scale down its policies targeting the agriculture sector, with it later announcing that tax exemptions for agricultural vehicles would remain and that fuel subsidies would be phased out gradually. However, the German Farmer’s Association said this isn't adequate.3
- Finance Minister Christian Lindner addressed Monday's crowd, saying that the government can't afford any more subsidies for the farming industry, citing the need to invest in schools, roads, security, and industrial energy.4
- However, new proposals to help make the farming industry more "sustainable" are expected to be announced on Thursday.5
Sources: 1DW, 2Associated Press, 3CNBC, 4Reuters and 5Forbes Advocate.
Narratives
- Left narrative, as provided by POLITICO. A dangerous, far-right backlash is sweeping Germany, and these farmers’ protests are part of a broader anti-government movement. While some of the people protesting may be earnest farmers upset about specific agricultural policies, there are many right-wing actors who are exploiting anger and promoting dangerous ideologies.
- Right narrative, as provided by European Conservative. Germany’s left-wing globalist government continues to show that it doesn’t value its farmers — or even its workers in general. Elitist leaders have looked down on the working class, labeling them as right-wing extremists, for far too long. As Olaf Scholz’s coalition grows weaker by the day, Germans are desperate for an alternative party that puts their interests first.
