FDP and Lindner oppose traffic light decision
The traffic light leaders decide together: Diesel subsidies for farmers must go in order to close the budget gap. Just a few days later, Lindner and the FDP back down - for the sake of European competitiveness.
The FDP announces its opposition to the planned abolition of diesel subsidies for farmers in Germany. FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr explained in Berlin that the heavy burden on agricultural businesses was not acceptable. "There is too often talk of allegedly climate-damaging subsidies without looking at the social and economic consequences of abolishing them," said Dürr, explaining the move.
"Above all, our farmers need fair competitive conditions in a European comparison," Dürr demanded. "This is precisely what would be jeopardized if the plans were implemented." Finance Minister Christian Lindner had therefore already promised to present alternatives to the government if the coalition partners agreed.
In the ARD program "Bericht aus Berlin", Lindner pointed out that Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir had also expressed concerns. If the minister and the FDP parliamentary group do this, "it must be taken seriously", said the FDP leader.
Farmers fume
Lindner, Economics Minister Robert Habeck and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz had agreed on Wednesday, after weeks of wrangling, on how to close the gap in the budget following the Federal Constitutional Court's ruling on the climate transformation fund. So far, diesel subsidies for farmers have been on the list of cuts, as has an exemption from vehicle tax.
The German Farmers' Association is calling on the traffic light to withdraw the plans. Otherwise, agriculture in Germany has no future, says DBV President Joachim Rukwied. He has called on farmers to stage a protest in Berlin to protest against the cuts. They want to meet at 11 a.m. on Monday at the Brandenburg Gate. It is expected that the farmers will show their displeasure with a large number of tractors and blockade many streets in Berlin. According to the "Bild" newspaper, Federal Agriculture Minister Özdemir intends to give a speech at the large demonstration.
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The FDP, led by Christian Lindner, challenges the decision to eliminate diesel subsidies in the budgetary policy, arguing that it might harm the competitiveness of German agriculture on the European stage. Despite the traffic light coalition leaders deciding to phase out these subsidies to meet the budget gap, the FDP insists on exploring alternatives to protect the farming sector's fair competitiveness.
Source: www.ntv.de
