German farmers and their tractors throng Berlin in a protest against fuel subsidy cuts
German farmers and their tractors throng Berlin in a protest against fuel subsidy cuts
Farmers with tractors arrive for a protest at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, Jan. 15, 2024. This week began and ended with the long road in front of Berlin’s landmark Brandenburg Gate thronged by heavy vehicles tooting their horns in protest — farmers on Monday Jan. 15 and truckers on Friday Jan. 19, 2024. Such demonstrations underline deep frustration in Germany with Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government, which came to power just over two years ago with a progressive, modernizing agenda but has come to be viewed by many as dysfunctional and incapable. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)
Farmers place their tractors at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 ahead of a demonstration. This week began and ended with the long road in front of Berlin’s landmark Brandenburg Gate thronged by heavy vehicles tooting their horns in protest — farmers on Monday Jan. 15 and truckers on Friday Jan. 19, 2024. Such demonstrations underline deep frustration in Germany with Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government, which came to power just over two years ago with a progressive, modernizing agenda but has come to be viewed by many as dysfunctional and incapable. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)
Farmers with tractors arrive for a protest at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan 15, 2024. Farmers have driven thousands of tractors into Berlin in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Farmers attend a protest in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan 15, 2024. This week began and ended with the long road in front of Berlin’s landmark Brandenburg Gate thronged by heavy vehicles tooting their horns in protest — farmers on Monday Jan. 15 and truckers on Friday Jan. 19, 2024. Such demonstrations underline deep frustration in Germany with Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government, which came to power just over two years ago with a progressive, modernizing agenda but has come to be viewed by many as dysfunctional and incapable. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)
Farmers placed their tractors at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan 15, 2024. Farmers have driven thousands of tractors into Berlin in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)On the other end of the line, hundreds of miles away in Malaysia, was her husband, Muhammed Rashid, who picked up the phone at 10:59 p.m. his time on Dec. 7, 2022. He had not seen his family in 11 years. And he had only learned days earlier that Setera and two of their daughters had fled surging violence in Bangladesh’s camps for ethnic Rohingya refugees.On the other end of the line, hundreds of miles away in Malaysia, was her husband, Muhammed Rashid, who picked up the phone at 10:59 p.m. his time on Dec. 7, 2022. He had not seen his family in 11 years. And he had only learned days earlier that Setera and two of their daughters had fled surging violence in Bangladesh’s camps for ethnic Rohingya refugees.
A farmer chants slogans during a protest in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan 15, 2024. Farmers have driven thousands of tractors into Berlin in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Farmers placed their tractors at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan 15, 2024. Farmers have driven thousands of tractors into Berlin in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)On the other end of the line, hundreds of miles away in Malaysia, was her husband, Muhammed Rashid, who picked up the phone at 10:59 p.m. his time on Dec. 7, 2022. He had not seen his family in 11 years. And he had only learned days earlier that Setera and two of their daughters had fled surging violence in Bangladesh’s camps for ethnic Rohingya refugees.On the other end of the line, hundreds of miles away in Malaysia, was her husband, Muhammed Rashid, who picked up the phone at 10:59 p.m. his time on Dec. 7, 2022. He had not seen his family in 11 years. And he had only learned days earlier that Setera and two of their daughters had fled surging violence in Bangladesh’s camps for ethnic Rohingya refugees.
A farmer poses for a photo during a protest in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan 15, 2024. Farmers have driven thousands of tractors into Berlin in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Farmers with tractors arrive for a protest at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan 15, 2024. Farmers have driven thousands of tractors into Berlin in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Farmers park their tractors at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 ahead of a demonstration. Farmers drove thousands of tractors into Berlin on Monday in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Farmers park their tractors at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 ahead of a demonstration. Farmers drove thousands of tractors into Berlin on Monday in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Farmers walk between tractors as they arrive for a protest in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. Farmers drove thousands of tractors into Berlin on Monday in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Farmers park their tractors at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 ahead of a demonstration. Farmers drove thousands of tractors into Berlin on Monday in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Farmers with tractors arrive for a protest at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, Jan. 15, 2024. This week began and ended with the long road in front of Berlin’s landmark Brandenburg Gate thronged by heavy vehicles tooting their horns in protest — farmers on Monday Jan. 15 and truckers on Friday Jan. 19, 2024. Such demonstrations underline deep frustration in Germany with Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government, which came to power just over two years ago with a progressive, modernizing agenda but has come to be viewed by many as dysfunctional and incapable. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)
Farmers with tractors arrive for a protest at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, Jan. 15, 2024. This week began and ended with the long road in front of Berlin’s landmark Brandenburg Gate thronged by heavy vehicles tooting their horns in protest — farmers on Monday Jan. 15 and truckers on Friday Jan. 19, 2024. Such demonstrations underline deep frustration in Germany with Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government, which came to power just over two years ago with a progressive, modernizing agenda but has come to be viewed by many as dysfunctional and incapable. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)
Farmers place their tractors at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 ahead of a demonstration. This week began and ended with the long road in front of Berlin’s landmark Brandenburg Gate thronged by heavy vehicles tooting their horns in protest — farmers on Monday Jan. 15 and truckers on Friday Jan. 19, 2024. Such demonstrations underline deep frustration in Germany with Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government, which came to power just over two years ago with a progressive, modernizing agenda but has come to be viewed by many as dysfunctional and incapable. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)
Farmers place their tractors at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 ahead of a demonstration. This week began and ended with the long road in front of Berlin’s landmark Brandenburg Gate thronged by heavy vehicles tooting their horns in protest — farmers on Monday Jan. 15 and truckers on Friday Jan. 19, 2024. Such demonstrations underline deep frustration in Germany with Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government, which came to power just over two years ago with a progressive, modernizing agenda but has come to be viewed by many as dysfunctional and incapable. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)
Farmers with tractors arrive for a protest at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan 15, 2024. Farmers have driven thousands of tractors into Berlin in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Farmers with tractors arrive for a protest at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan 15, 2024. Farmers have driven thousands of tractors into Berlin in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Farmers attend a protest in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan 15, 2024. This week began and ended with the long road in front of Berlin’s landmark Brandenburg Gate thronged by heavy vehicles tooting their horns in protest — farmers on Monday Jan. 15 and truckers on Friday Jan. 19, 2024. Such demonstrations underline deep frustration in Germany with Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government, which came to power just over two years ago with a progressive, modernizing agenda but has come to be viewed by many as dysfunctional and incapable. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)
Farmers attend a protest in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan 15, 2024. This week began and ended with the long road in front of Berlin’s landmark Brandenburg Gate thronged by heavy vehicles tooting their horns in protest — farmers on Monday Jan. 15 and truckers on Friday Jan. 19, 2024. Such demonstrations underline deep frustration in Germany with Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government, which came to power just over two years ago with a progressive, modernizing agenda but has come to be viewed by many as dysfunctional and incapable. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)
Farmers placed their tractors at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan 15, 2024. Farmers have driven thousands of tractors into Berlin in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)On the other end of the line, hundreds of miles away in Malaysia, was her husband, Muhammed Rashid, who picked up the phone at 10:59 p.m. his time on Dec. 7, 2022. He had not seen his family in 11 years. And he had only learned days earlier that Setera and two of their daughters had fled surging violence in Bangladesh’s camps for ethnic Rohingya refugees.On the other end of the line, hundreds of miles away in Malaysia, was her husband, Muhammed Rashid, who picked up the phone at 10:59 p.m. his time on Dec. 7, 2022. He had not seen his family in 11 years. And he had only learned days earlier that Setera and two of their daughters had fled surging violence in Bangladesh’s camps for ethnic Rohingya refugees.
Farmers placed their tractors at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan 15, 2024. Farmers have driven thousands of tractors into Berlin in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)On the other end of the line, hundreds of miles away in Malaysia, was her husband, Muhammed Rashid, who picked up the phone at 10:59 p.m. his time on Dec. 7, 2022. He had not seen his family in 11 years. And he had only learned days earlier that Setera and two of their daughters had fled surging violence in Bangladesh’s camps for ethnic Rohingya refugees.On the other end of the line, hundreds of miles away in Malaysia, was her husband, Muhammed Rashid, who picked up the phone at 10:59 p.m. his time on Dec. 7, 2022. He had not seen his family in 11 years. And he had only learned days earlier that Setera and two of their daughters had fled surging violence in Bangladesh’s camps for ethnic Rohingya refugees.
A farmer chants slogans during a protest in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan 15, 2024. Farmers have driven thousands of tractors into Berlin in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
A farmer chants slogans during a protest in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan 15, 2024. Farmers have driven thousands of tractors into Berlin in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Farmers placed their tractors at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan 15, 2024. Farmers have driven thousands of tractors into Berlin in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)On the other end of the line, hundreds of miles away in Malaysia, was her husband, Muhammed Rashid, who picked up the phone at 10:59 p.m. his time on Dec. 7, 2022. He had not seen his family in 11 years. And he had only learned days earlier that Setera and two of their daughters had fled surging violence in Bangladesh’s camps for ethnic Rohingya refugees.On the other end of the line, hundreds of miles away in Malaysia, was her husband, Muhammed Rashid, who picked up the phone at 10:59 p.m. his time on Dec. 7, 2022. He had not seen his family in 11 years. And he had only learned days earlier that Setera and two of their daughters had fled surging violence in Bangladesh’s camps for ethnic Rohingya refugees.
Farmers placed their tractors at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan 15, 2024. Farmers have driven thousands of tractors into Berlin in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)On the other end of the line, hundreds of miles away in Malaysia, was her husband, Muhammed Rashid, who picked up the phone at 10:59 p.m. his time on Dec. 7, 2022. He had not seen his family in 11 years. And he had only learned days earlier that Setera and two of their daughters had fled surging violence in Bangladesh’s camps for ethnic Rohingya refugees.On the other end of the line, hundreds of miles away in Malaysia, was her husband, Muhammed Rashid, who picked up the phone at 10:59 p.m. his time on Dec. 7, 2022. He had not seen his family in 11 years. And he had only learned days earlier that Setera and two of their daughters had fled surging violence in Bangladesh’s camps for ethnic Rohingya refugees.
A farmer poses for a photo during a protest in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan 15, 2024. Farmers have driven thousands of tractors into Berlin in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
A farmer poses for a photo during a protest in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan 15, 2024. Farmers have driven thousands of tractors into Berlin in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Farmers with tractors arrive for a protest at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan 15, 2024. Farmers have driven thousands of tractors into Berlin in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Farmers with tractors arrive for a protest at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan 15, 2024. Farmers have driven thousands of tractors into Berlin in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Farmers park their tractors at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 ahead of a demonstration. Farmers drove thousands of tractors into Berlin on Monday in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Farmers park their tractors at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 ahead of a demonstration. Farmers drove thousands of tractors into Berlin on Monday in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Farmers park their tractors at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 ahead of a demonstration. Farmers drove thousands of tractors into Berlin on Monday in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Farmers park their tractors at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 ahead of a demonstration. Farmers drove thousands of tractors into Berlin on Monday in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Farmers walk between tractors as they arrive for a protest in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. Farmers drove thousands of tractors into Berlin on Monday in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Farmers walk between tractors as they arrive for a protest in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. Farmers drove thousands of tractors into Berlin on Monday in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Farmers park their tractors at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 ahead of a demonstration. Farmers drove thousands of tractors into Berlin on Monday in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Farmers park their tractors at the government district in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 ahead of a demonstration. Farmers drove thousands of tractors into Berlin on Monday in the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
BERLIN (AP) — Farmers clogged Berlin streets with their tractors on Monday, honking their horns in protest at a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, the climax of a week of protests that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government.
Columns of tractors rolled into the capital ahead of the demonstration at the landmark Brandenburg Gate. Over the past week, farmers have blocked highway entrances and slowed traffic across Germany with their protests, intent on pushing Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government to abandon the planned cuts entirely.
They’re not satisfied with concessions the government has already made. On Jan. 4, it watered down its original plan, saying that a car tax exemption for farming vehicles would be retained and the cuts in the diesel tax breaks would be staggered over three years.
“Take back the proposed tax increases, then we’ll pull back,” said the chairman of the German Farmers’ Association, Joachim Rukwied. He said the demonstration sent a message to politicians that “too much is too much.”
“We are an important part of Germany — please don’t forget that,” he said.
Finance Minister Christian Lindner was greeted with boos, whistles and chants of “Get lost” as he defended the government’s revised plan. He conceded that the original proposal “was too much and it was too fast” and said the protests were legitimate and peaceful.
“There should be no special sacrifice by farming, just a fair contribution” to getting Germany’s finances in order, he added. He told Rukwied that “your protest was already successful” and said the delay in cutting the tax breaks buys time to find ways to reduce bureaucracy for farmers and improve their productivity.
The plan to reduce the tax breaks resulted from the need to fill a large hole in the 2024 budget. The farmers’ protests come at a time of deep general discontent with Scholz’s center-left government, which has become notorious for frequent public squabbles and lengthy wrangling over sometimes poorly communicated decisions.
In a video message Saturday, Scholz acknowledged concerns that go well beyond farming subsidies, saying that crises, conflicts and worries about the future are unsettling people. Polls have shown a comfortable majority sympathizing with the farmers’ protest, and Monday’s demonstration was joined by Germany’s road transport association.
Farmers say their frustration runs deeper than the current plans.
“We are not standing here today just because of the agricultural diesel cuts,” Theresa Schmidt, head of an association that represents young farmers, told the rally. “In recent years and decades, we have been beaten endlessly — more and more requirements, tighter rules and restrictions.”
“We have more and more requirements and are being overloaded with food from abroad that is produced below our standards,” said Alfred Winkler, a farmer from the Bavarian region of Franconia.
Lindner said “agriculture isn’t a sector like every other” and there are good reasons for state support, noting that it gets 9 billion euros (nearly $9.9 billion) from the government and the European Union every year.
Farmers’ representatives met later Monday with the leaders of all three governing parties’ parliamentary groups, who held out the prospect of action on the wider challenges farmers face. But they didn’t resolve the disagreement over diesel tax breaks.
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Kerstin Sopke in Berlin contributed to this report.