Djir-Sarai in the ntv “early start”
“Not good when everyone is just running around and being angry.”
January 9, 2024, 10:44 a.m
FDP General Secretary Djir-Sarai shows great understanding for the protesting farmers, but does not believe that they will prevail in the defense of the agricultural diesel subsidy. He also calls for a return to dialogue.
FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai expresses understanding for the farmers’ protest. The majority are peaceful people who have a real concern. “I can absolutely understand that these people want to express their dissatisfaction with the situation and protest for it,” said Djir-Sarai in the ntv early start. However, he remains skeptical about the prospects of success of the demonstrations, which, among other things, demand the maintenance of subsidies for agricultural diesel. “Whether that leads to results or not is another discussion,” says Djir-Sarai. In addition, one should not forget that the federal government has already accommodated the farmers. A whole series of compromise solutions are already available.
The FDP General Secretary calls on the protesting farmers and their supporters to engage in a constructive exchange. The problems of agriculture can only be solved through dialogue. “It wouldn’t be good for democracy if everyone just ran around, was angry and was no longer able to find constructive solutions,” said Djir-Sarai. In his view, the issues of greening and bureaucracy have been neglected in the past. “The problem, what the farmers are articulating, is not something that started today, but goes back to previous governments,” says Djir-Sarai.
The FDP General Secretary is calm about the upcoming budget discussions. He expects that the framework conditions will be adhered to. “But parliamentary processes in connection with the budget are of course always substantive debates and accordingly there will certainly be discussions,” said Djir-Sarai. With the ruling of the Federal Constitutional Court, something has changed; there is an obligation to pursue “sound financial policy”. “I hope that all actors in the coalition understood it that way,” said Djir-Sarai.