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It could well be the largest protest in Germany in recent decades: tens of thousands of farmers paralyzed highways and city centers in our neighboring country on Monday. Where does the farmers’ dissatisfaction come from? Blick explains the peasant uprising.
Why are farmers protesting?
After a serious ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court in November, the traffic light government has to make major cuts. Agriculture is also affected by the cuts. At the top of the strike list of the SPD, the Greens and the FDP: discounts on agricultural diesel. The German government also announced that agricultural and forestry vehicles will no longer be exempt from motor vehicle tax. The farmers reacted indignantly to the traffic light plans. They want to underline their protest with drastic actions.
Is this the first dispute between farmers and politicians?
No, farmers have repeatedly expressed their dissatisfaction with the decisions taken in Berlin in the past. A planned tightening of the rules on pesticides or the discussion about a fertilizer ban for agricultural strips near water caused protests. The fact that important subsidies for farmers are now being scrapped has apparently been the final straw. The mixture of financial concerns and the feeling of being treated unfairly by politicians and not being heard is now reflected in the protest actions. Recently, several farmer demonstrators blocked a ferry carrying German Vice Chancellor and Economics Minister Robert Habeck (54) and demonstrated with their tractors during a large rally in front of the Brandenburg Gate.
What’s next?
The traffic light government has weakened the cuts, but that is not enough for the farmers. “Both austerity proposals must be off the table,” says Joachim Rukwied (62), chairman of the German Farmers’ Association (DBV), clearly. The end of the protests is not yet in sight. The protest week starts on Monday and will be followed by a large demonstration in Berlin on January 15.
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
