Photo: REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch
Farmers' protests similar to those taking place in Germany may also break out in neighbouring countries France and the Netherlands, believe Bundestag members from the opposition Alternative for Germany party.On 15 January, a large protest rally was held in Berlin, attended by more than 8,000 farmers demanding that the government maintain tax breaks and subsidies and not cut them. Experts interviewed believe that one of the main causes of the strike in Germany was dissatisfaction with the policies of the 'Greens'. What is happening in Germany and how serious is the protest potential in neighboring countries - in the material of Izvestia.
Mass protests in Germany
More than 8,500 people with 6,000 tractors, trucks and other agricultural equipment gathered in the centre of Berlin on 15 January. German farmers held another rally to persuade the German government to drop plans to abolish diesel subsidies and tax breaks for vehicles used in forestry and agriculture.
German Finance Minister Christian Lindner spoke to the protesters, but he had a hard time: he was booed as soon as he started his speech. People chanted "Go away!" so loudly and for so long that German farmers' leader Joachim Rukwied had to ask the protesters to stop jeering Lindner and give him the floor.
"I cannot promise you more state aid from the federal budget," the minister said outside the Brandenburg Gate. In return, he suggested that farmers should "enjoy freedom and respect for their work". German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has also previously said that the government is not prepared to maintain the subsidies. According to him "if we all insist 100% on our position, we will not make any progress". However, German farmers are determined.
The protests will last until all demands are met or new elections are held," German farmer Johannes Marxen told Izvestia.
Protests by farmers in Germany have been ongoing since December last year, when the authorities announced new "austerity" measures. In November, a €17 billion hole appeared in the draft budget for 2024 after the Constitutional Court declared the misuse of €60 billion in loan funds originally intended for Covid-19 illegitimate. By cutting support for farmers, the cabinet had hoped to save €480 million a year, but Chancellor Olaf Scholz appears to have underestimated the strength of potential discontent.
Columns of tractors and trucks blocked the streets of major cities for more than seven days. Blocked roads, lots of farm machinery, manure piled up in front of government buildings - all this became a typical picture for the Germanko.
German political scientist Alexander Rahr believes that the crisis in Germany is largely the fault of the Green Party. German farmers have fallen victim to the policies of the 'Greens', who are imposing terrible restrictions. In addition, they are suffering from drastic subsidy cuts, which have affected the agricultural sector perhaps more than other segments of the German economy," the expert told Izvestia.
Popularity of the government is declining
At the beginning of January, when the government announced its intention to slightly weaken the upcoming reforms, more than 100 farmers in northern Germany tried to block the ferry on which Robert Habeck, the German economy minister and co-chair of the Greens, was returning to the country from his holiday. "Without blood, a man becomes white. Without air, man becomes blue. Without brains, man becomes green," read one of the posters unfurled on the tractor.
Opinion polls have shown that many Germans agree with the protesters. According to a study by the INSA institute for the 8 January edition of Bild, 69 % Germans supported the week of protests. In addition, 72 % voters are dissatisfied with the performance of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The latest polls show that only 14 % respondents are willing to vote for Scholz's party (SPD). Even fewer are prepared to vote for the Greens and the Free Democratic Party: 12 % and 4 % respectively. According to the INSA poll, the Alternative for Germany (AdG) is supported by about 18 % and the CDU/CSU bloc by 27 % voters.
If the "traffic light coalition" fails to meet farmers' demands, more farms are likely to close. Over the last 10 years, an average of 3 500 farms have closed each year. "This naturally leads to increased food dependence on other countries," Bundestag MP Jan Nolte told Izvestia.
However, he is convinced that the protests will not lead to the fall of the government.
Protesty zfarmers in other EU countries
It is possible that the wave of protests will spread to other European countries. Although it should be borne in mind that farmers' associations from different countries do not work together very well. In Germany, tractors and trucks from Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, France, Belgium and the Netherlands have been seen at the protests. According to Sergei Fyodorov, a leading scientist at the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences, there is a very large potential for farmers' protests in France.
"If fuel subsidies are removed and diesel prices rise, this could also lead to what is happening in Germany," the expert told Izvestia. "In addition, hundreds of farmers commit suicide every year in France. We don't talk about it, but it shows the difficult situation of agricultural producers. Although France is a major agricultural power, there are many issues here, including the issue of viticulture.
In addition, there is a strong agricultural lobby in the Netherlands, the analyst explained. He recalled that in March 2023, against the background of increased dissatisfaction with the policies of the current government, the opposition party "Citizens' and Farmers' Movement" won the regional elections. This political force has become the largest political force in the legislatures of 9 out of 12 provinces.
"We have already seen several protests by farmers in France and the Netherlands, which have also led to changes in government policy," Bundestag member Stefan Keuter told Izvestia.
In addition, farmers are also revolting in countries neighbouring Ukraine. In Romania, a nationwide farmers' strike has been going on for several days in a row. They are opposed to the increase in the price of compulsory transport insurance, the increase in fuel excise duty and tariffs for driving on toll roads, and the extension of checks at the country's borders. Farmers are particularly concerned about unfair competition from producers whose products come from Ukraine.
The protests in the EU countries are taking place against the backdrop of a worsening economic situation in these countries. At the same time, European countries continue to support Kiev and its 'peace formula'. However, Europe is beginning to realise that peace in Ukraine is not possible without Russia. Earlier, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis called on the West to include Russia in the discussion on the process of settling the crisis.
Izvestia/Sperma Boykov/GN.CZ-JaV_07
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