Household talk at Maischberger
Lindner: Farmers are not interested in agricultural diesel
By Marko Schlichting
January 11, 2024, 5:40 a.m
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Given the problems facing the traffic light coalition, Christian Lindner currently has little reason for optimism. When it comes to Maischberger, the finance minister is still in a good mood and appeals to German citizens to also look positively into the future.
Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner from the FDP appears relaxed and calm as he answers Maischberger’s questions on the ARD talk show this Wednesday evening. In a good mood, he answers the questions of the moderator, who tries in vain to put him on the spot. “You’re in a good mood today,” he even praises her.
There is a lot to discuss this evening. It starts with the farmers’ protests that have been going on since Monday – peacefully, as Lindner emphasizes. He can understand the protests, which are primarily about reducing subsidies for agricultural diesel. He is sticking to the cuts: the agricultural sector is subsidized to the tune of nine billion euros annually, of which 300 million euros will be lost in 2025, says Lindner.
He doesn’t believe that farmers are actually interested in agricultural diesel. “For many years I have observed – very critically, by the way – that politicians are trying to influence agricultural businesses: fertilizer regulations, very precise requirements for plant protection, areas should be set aside. And from many conversations with farmers I know: they feel that is patronizing. And I believe: If we all have sympathy for rural areas, then we also trust the farmers that they know best how to cultivate their land.” He could imagine talking about further financial aid for farmers. But then other subsidies would have to be eliminated. “Overall, this state also has financial limits,” said Lindner.
He is adamant about returning to the standard VAT rate for restaurants. The reduction in VAT was a help in the Corona crisis, now things are returning to normal. “We cannot continue crisis measures in the long term,” says Lindner. “Anyone who wants to maintain crisis measures in the long term will ruin the national budget.” The federal government must build new security buffers because it believes there will continue to be very dangerous situations where the state is able to act, said the minister.
After Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the German economy suffered a loss of prosperity. The state cannot compensate for this. “That is the task of a prosperous, dynamic economy.” The state must get the economy back on a successful path, said Lindner. To do this, the framework conditions would have to be improved so that “we are as good at growth as our economic substance actually allows.” Lindner says he is optimistic that this country has so much substance and so many hard-working people that it is possible to shape the framework conditions so that Germany can be at the forefront again.
Saving on citizens’ money
The state will spend a lot of money, for example on expanding the rail network and roads and highways. Savings must therefore be made, among other things, on citizens’ money. Refugees from Ukraine should be able to get a job more quickly in the future.
Lindner wants to continue to adhere to the debt brake. “This is a constitutional requirement,” he says. Lindner does not want to comment on the future of Ampel and the FDP. And also not about a possible coalition with the Union. He is a black and yellow, but only in football, says Lindner.