Farmers in Germany have taken to the streets in protest against subsidy cuts, causing road blockades in various parts of the country. The tension started after a court ruled that the government’s 2024 budget was illegal, leading to the need for budget fixes. However, the subsidy cuts have had unintended consequences, with fears that the far right’s popularity could be fueled by the ongoing row.
The blockades, which included around 200 tractors parked by Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, have disrupted travel and sparked concerns of public anger. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser warned that these actions would cause “anger and disagreement,” as they hinder people from going to work, school, or seeing a doctor.
The farmers’ association, DBV, has called for the government to scrap the subsidy cuts altogether to protect the supply of high-quality food products. Farmers argue that the subsidy cuts jeopardize their ability to produce such goods.
The government has been scrambling to address a financial blackhole resulting from a court ruling in November that declared the budget illegal. Despite watering down proposals to end farmers’ tax breaks on agricultural diesel and abandoning plans to abolish preferential treatment in vehicle tax, farmers remain furious.
In an escalation of tensions, protesters even prevented Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck from disembarking from a ferry. This led to widespread condemnation and concerns about the radicalization of political debate in Germany.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has been enjoying record highs in the polls, seized on the incident to criticize the vice chancellor. AfD co-leader Alice Weidel stated that it demonstrated he was “no longer taken seriously.”
The ongoing tensions within Germany’s ruling coalition, consisting of the Social Democrats, the Greens, and the Free Democrats, have also added to the political turbulence. Infighting and tensions are frequently reported, and regional elections in Saxony, Brandenburg, and Thuringia later this year will test the country’s mood.
Furthermore, planned strikes by train drivers will increase pressure on the coalition. The GDL union announced that its members would walk out from Wednesday as part of a wage dispute with rail operator Deutsche Bahn.
These developments mark a challenging start to the year for Chancellor Scholz’s government and coincide with predictions of lackluster economic growth for Germany, often referred to as the EU’s “powerhouse.”
