Diesel subsidies for farmers
FDP and Lindner oppose the traffic light decision
December 17, 2023, 7:27 p.m
The traffic light leaders decide together: The diesel subsidies for farmers must go in order to close the budget gap. Just a few days later, Lindner and the FDP backed down – for the sake of European competitiveness.
The FDP announces resistance to its own plans to abolish diesel subsidies for farmers in Germany. The heavy burden on agricultural businesses is not considered acceptable, explained FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr in Berlin. “Too often people talk about supposedly climate-damaging subsidies without looking at the social and economic consequences of abolishing them,” said Dürr, justifying the initiative.
“Above all, our farmers need fair competitive conditions compared to other European countries,” demanded Dürr. “That is exactly what would be at risk if the plans were implemented.” Finance Minister Christian Lindner has therefore already promised to present alternatives to the government if the coalition partners agree.
Lindner pointed out in the ARD program “Report from Berlin” that Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir had also expressed concerns. If the minister and the FDP parliamentary group do this, “it must be taken seriously,” said the FDP leader.
Farmers foam
Lindner, Economics Minister Robert Habeck and Chancellor Olaf Scholz agreed on Wednesday after weeks of struggle on how they wanted to close the gap in the budget following the Federal Constitutional Court’s ruling on the climate transformation fund. Diesel subsidies for farmers have so far been on the scratch list, as has an exemption from vehicle tax.
The German Farmers’ Association is calling on the traffic light to withdraw the plans. Otherwise, agriculture in Germany has no future, says DBV President Joachim Rukwied. He called on farmers to take part in a protest in Berlin to protest against the cuts. They want to meet at the Brandenburg Gate at 11 a.m. on Monday. It is expected that the farmers will show their dissatisfaction with a large number of tractors and block many streets in Berlin. According to the “Bild” newspaper, Federal Agriculture Minister Özdemir wants to give a speech at a large demonstration.