German farmers are angry. The cancellation of subsidies announced in December 2023 by the government led to a large-scale social movement across the country. This Monday, January 15, thousands will invest the capital to increase pressure on political leaders.
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With our correspondent in Berlin, Pascal Thibaut
Nearly 10,000 participants expected, 3,000 tractors and 2,000 trucks: some are already on site. The others will head this morning towards the center of Berlin to meet near the Brandenburg Gate. After numerous demonstrations across the country, German farmers want to mark the occasion this Monday.
They continue to denounce the questioning of subsidies decided in December by the government. One of them ultimately remains in place. What remains is the elimination, now staggered over three years, of support for diesel for agricultural vehicles. Experts agree that the financial consequences remain modest. The demonstrators reject any compromise, a fortiori radical right-wing elements which harm the credibility of the farmers’ federation. The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also warned on Saturday against “ the extremists », expressing concern about calls for violence which threaten democracy.
Discussions with political leaders are planned for Monday. Chancellor Scholz, criticized by barons of his party, spoke on Saturday of the search for solutions for the future of agriculture. The minister in charge of the file mentions a tax on agricultural products that consumers would pay and which could finance farms.
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