Status: 16.01.2024, 15:12 PM
By: Marcus Giebel
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Christian Lindner appears at the farmers' protest in Berlin and wants to appease the demonstrators. For the leader of the Left Party, this was a scandalous speech.
Berlin – Christian Lindner made an honest effort to make himself heard in the freezing cold in front of the Brandenburg Gate. It wasn't easy, despite several microphones and all kinds of speakers. Because the thousands of farmers to whom the FDP leader and finance minister spoke made a lot of noise. They roared and whistled, booed and cursed in the direction of the stage.
Finance Minister Lindner at farmers' protest: "I have a feeling for your situation"
So Lindner had to raise his voice even more clearly than usual at the final farmers' protest, because he wanted to get his message across. On the one hand, show understanding for the displeasure of farmers as a result of the abolition of subsidies for agricultural diesel planned by the traffic light, and on the other hand, promote understanding for the political decisions that are felt in the wallet.
Between the "liars", "hypocrites" and "get out" shouts of the protesters, he tried to create a bit of closeness. "After many conversations, I have a feeling for your situation," Lindner said. Likewise: "I want politicians to trust farmers instead of interfering with the farms." He himself comes "from the Bergisches Land. I grew up next to meadows, fields and the forest."
Left Party leader Janine Wissler takes a hard line against Finance Minister Christian Lindner after his speech at the farmers' protests. © IMAGO (2) / Christian Spicker / Hartenfelser
Lindner speaks to farmers in Berlin: Criticism of climate activists and recipients of citizens' money
But Lindner was not successful as a bridge builder. What tended to stick the day after the memorable performance were other sentences. Like the comparison with the climate activists of the "Last Generation": "What a difference between the farmers and the climate stickers: The climate stickers have smeared the Brandenburg Gate. The farmers have honoured the Brandenburg Gate." So it's a bit of belly rubbing from the highest level.
He also shouted to the masses: "It annoys me that I have to talk about cuts in front of you as the hard-working middle class, while on the other side in our country people get money for doing nothing." A frosty greeting to the recipients of citizens' money.
"Social reforms are hard. But we have to get to work on that too," Lindner added: "That's why we're cutting benefits for asylum seekers, that's why we're saving a billion euros in citizens' money. Because we can no longer tolerate people refusing to work for their money." This is not just "a question of money, this is a question of justice and we answer it."
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Wissler criticizes Lindner for speech: "Politically irresponsible and humanly disgusting"
It remains to be seen whether these words have caught on in the crowd. In any case, Janine Wissler listened carefully. And is outraged. "A federal minister who stands in front of protesting farmers and does not make a single suggestion to their concerns, but instead agitates against the unemployed and refugees ("money for doing nothing"), is not only rightly booed, he is intolerable as a minister," criticizes the Left Party leader in Der Spiegel.
Lindner is conducting a diversionary debate and trying to play people off against each other and incite them. This is "politically irresponsible and humanly disgusting". For her, the speech is another low point: "As with the cancellation of the climate money, Lindner is targeting benefit recipients."
The postponement of this support because of the additional burdens on citizens is also controversially discussed anyway. Katharina Dröge, co-chairwoman of the Greens' parliamentary group, said: "We need the climate money." Ramona Pop, chairwoman of the Federation of German Consumer Organizations, made it clear in the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung (article behind a paywall): "We demand that the climate money comes before the end of this year." (mg)