Status: 18.12.2023, 20:29 PM
By: Claudia Möllers
CommentsPrint Share
At the large rally in Berlin, farmers are demanding the reversal of the traffic light cuts – and threatening to block the supply chains.
Berlin/Munich – "Stop!", "New elections!" The estimated 10,000 farmers who gathered at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on Monday to blow the whistle on the traffic light government do not want to hear Cem Özdemir. The Green Minister of Agriculture, who – unlike Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) – has not shied away from the confrontation with the angry farmers, is shouted down. Appeals by farmers' president Joachim Rukwied to be fair and let the minister finish their work are also unsuccessful. Özdemir can hardly get through to the angry crowd.
Farmers protest in Berlin: "Too much is too much"
In the early morning, farmers from all over Germany had set out to demonstrate their opposition to the planned cancellation of agricultural diesel and the withdrawal of the vehicle tax exemption. Hundreds of tractors block the Straße des 17. Juni between the Brandenburg Gate and the famous Victory Column.
13 buses from Bavaria are on the road, as well as numerous farmers who join in with private cars. "1000 farmers from Bavaria are taking part in the protest," says Ralf Huber, president of the Upper Bavarian farmers' association from Allershausen (Freising district). With cowbells, whistles and sirens, they support the sharp criticism of farmers' president Rukwied. "Too much is too much," shouts the normally level-headed farmer's president to the crowd. "This is a declaration of war on the federal government that things cannot go on like this. It's enough!" If the federal government does not withdraw the unreasonable proposals, farmers will continue to protest to ensure that there will be "a very hot January".
"Then, from 8 January, we will be present everywhere in a way that the country has never experienced before." While Rukwied gives vent to his anger, Cem Özdemir stands next to him and lets the angry speech pass almost motionlessly. To the point of Rukwied's demand that he – Özdemir – must make his office available if necessary if Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Finance Minister Christian Lindner and Economics Minister Robert Habeck do not listen to him. The Minister of Agriculture has already stated on several occasions that he does not share the double burden on farmers at all.
Tractor demonstration of farmers against the subsidy cuts in Berlin. © Imago
Özdemir shows understanding for the "huge rage" of agriculture
Above all, the farmers are at the FDP: "The FDP has assured that there will be no tax increase. That's breaking your word," Rukwied shouts. The farmer's president is also harsh on the Greens. Economy Minister Habeck should make sure that Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock "does not continue to give away German taxpayers' money to other countries." The money must be used to ensure that the people in this country have a future. According to Rukwied, he expects a Federal Minister of Agriculture to put his heart and soul into helping his farmers.
0
Read also
0
Accidental mistake: Russia's air defense is probably firing at its own fighter jet
READ2
"For Moscow": Ukrainians unveil new drone - and announce attacks on Russia
READ
Would a hit be a miracle? Ukraine experts tear apart France's new sniper rifle
READ
Farmers' demonstration in Berlin: Protests "the likes of which the country has never seen before" – Aiwanger rails against "good-for-nothings"
READ
New ZDF capital boss cuts off Söder's floor – he reprimands "unfortunate start"
READ
Fancy a voyage of discovery?
My Area
Özdemir nods, barely visible. When he steps up to the microphone and expresses understanding for the "huge rage" of the farmers, it looks as if the farmers want to listen to him. But when Özdemir warns them not to let themselves be pushed into the wrong corner politically, the farmers are beside themselves. "Sacrament, that can't be true," complains Upper Bavaria's farmer boss Huber. In the state elections in Bavaria, it could be seen that farmers were the least likely to vote for the AfD. "I don't have any rights, I need our rights!" Huber calls for planning security for farmers. "When we make investments, it's about 25 years! It is unacceptable that a new barn will no longer comply with the approval in six years' time. That won't work."
The farmers' willingness to strike seems to be high. It is still unclear what exactly the farmers plan to do from January 8 if the government does not move. They are already rumoring about a blockade throughout Germany.
CSU praises farmers' demonstrations in Berlin – Aiwanger rails against traffic light coalition
Bavaria's Minister of Agriculture Michaela Kaniber (CSU) calls the demonstration a great sign of the cohesion of the peasantry – it is very important to set an example here, which is why she has come. "We have been experiencing a disaster with this federal government for two years. We see that apart from announcements, nothing is being launched." If we continue like this, all products will come from abroad – "that cannot be our goal, neither economically nor ecologically". If you think about the CO2 balance and the production standards, "it's a complete disaster. That's why agriculture needs a tailwind, not a headwind." Kaniber is disappointed with Özdemir – his assurance that he campaigned for the agricultural diesel refund is not true. "Since 2015, the Greens have repeatedly pleaded for its abolition. And who was the federal chairman of the Greens at the time? Cem Özdemir!"
Bavaria's Minister of Economic Affairs, Hubert Aiwanger (Free Voters), is also in Berlin. He demonstratively joined the Bavarian farmers. "Without farmers, there is no future," he says, ranting in the direction of the traffic lights: "Apparently, the goal is to destroy regional food production in Germany." Farmers are not climate sinners, but "guarantors of our food supply".
Upper Bavaria's farmers' president Huber is satisfied with the demonstration. "We wanted to show our anger that it can't be done like this anymore." He hopes that Özdemir has understood this and will bring about a change of direction in the government. And if not, then the peasant revolt will probably continue. (Claudia Möllers)