German Farmers Gather in Berlin to Protest Government Austerity Measures

Farmers from across Germany—many driving their trademark tractors and trucks—converged on Berlin on Jan. 15 to protest against government plans to raise taxes and phase out subsidies associated with agricultural production.

The show of force in Berlin caps a week of high-profile strikes by German farmers who have blocked roads nationwide, including several border crossings.

Striking farmers complain that government-imposed austerity measures—if carried out—would drive most of them out of business.

One striker from Cologne told Reuters that the country’s farmers would “die out” if the government follows through on plans to raise taxes and scrap agricultural subsidies.

“The population must understand that far more food will [have to] be imported” if subsidies are eliminated, he said, while en route to Berlin to join the protest.

In a show of contempt for unpopular government policies, striking farmers have dumped hay and manure onto highways and roads, paralyzing traffic in many parts of the country.

On the eve of the protest in Berlin, the main boulevard leading to the city’s iconic Brandenburg Gate was already packed bumper-to-bumper with tractors, trucks, and other agricultural vehicles.

Late on Jan. 14, police announced that the thoroughfare was entirely blocked, calling on newly arrived demonstrators to seek alternative protest sites.

The weeklong farmers’ strike began on Jan. 8 to protest plans by Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government to scrap tax breaks and subsidies for the agricultural sector.

In December, Mr. Scholz’s three-party coalition unveiled plans to eliminate tax exemptions on agricultural vehicles and diesel subsidies for farmers.

The measures are part of a wider austerity plan aimed at correcting a 17-billion euro (roughly $18.6 billion) shortfall in Germany’s proposed budget for 2024.

But after an angry backlash, Berlin backtracked earlier this month, vowing to keep tax exemptions in place while gradually phasing out subsidies over three years.

In a Jan. 13 video message, Mr. Scholz said that his government had met the strikers halfway.

“We’ve taken farmers’ grievances into account and revised our proposals,” he said, describing the government’s concessions as a “good compromise.”

But striking farmers, backed by the German Farmers’ Association, have rejected the offer, demanding the proposed measures be scrapped entirely.

In his video message, Mr. Scholz said his government hoped to discuss “what else we can do so that [German] agriculture has a good future.”

Even Mr. Scholz’s coalition partners, however, appear divided over the best way to address farmers’ grievances.

Agriculture Minister Cem Ozdemir, of Germany’s Green Party, has suggested financial inducements for farmers who implement humane animal husbandry.

Mr. Scholz’s Social Democratic Party, for its part, has called for higher prices on agricultural produce, while the Free Democratic Party has floated the notion of cutting overhead costs for the agricultural sector.

Addressing striking farmers in Berlin, Finance Minister Christian Lindner, of the Free Democrats, drew angry jeers from the crowd.

“I can’t promise you more state aid from the federal budget,” he said, speaking from a soundstage near the Brandenburg Gate on Jan. 15.

“But we can fight together for you to enjoy more freedom and respect for your work,” Mr. Lindner asserted.

At one point, Farmers Association head Joachim Rukwied took the microphone to urge striking farmers to listen to Mr. Lindner.

“The finance minister is here,” Mr. Rukwied said. “It makes no sense to boo him.”

Opposition Eyes Electoral Gains

Adding to the ruling coalition’s discomfort, the farmers’ strike enjoys the support of the opposition Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which staunchly opposes the proposed austerity measures.

Amid mounting public disaffection with Mr. Scholz’s ruling coalition, the AfD hopes to score significant gains in elections slated for later this year.

According to recent polling, the AfD now enjoys a considerable lead over all three coalition partners.

In Berlin and elsewhere, many of the strikers’ tractors and trucks are plastered with AfD banners bearing the slogan: “Our farmers come first.”

Labeled “far-right” by its critics, the AfD also opposes the pro-immigration and “climate-friendly” policies espoused by Brussels and Mr. Scholz’s EU-friendly government.

The party also opposes Western-led sanctions on Russia and continued German support—financial and military—for Ukraine.

AfD leaders have repeatedly stated that the halting of cheap energy imports from Russia was against Germany’s national interest.

Russian energy imports to northern Europe were severely disrupted in late 2022 when unknown perpetrators sabotaged Russia’s Nord Stream gas pipeline.

Addressing striking farmers in Berlin, Mr. Lindner drew jeers when he said state funds were needed to support Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.

“With the war in Ukraine, peace and freedom in Europe are threatened once again,” Mr. Lindner asserted.

“We must invest once again in our security, as we used to,” he added.

Despite a deepening fiscal crisis, Germany remains one of Ukraine’s leading providers of weapons and economic assistance.

Late last year, Berlin agreed to double its military aid to Ukraine to $8.8 billion in 2024.

Reuters contributed to this report.