German farmers protest against subsidy cuts

BERLIN -- Farmers in Germany have kicked off a week of protests against the abolition of agricultural subsidies, with thousands of tractors disrupting traffic on major roads on Monday.

In Berlin alone, around 550 tractors gathered at the Brandenburg Gate. Meanwhile, farmers from all around the country are set to meet in the German capital next Monday.

In response to recent protests, the German government has already made its first concessions to farmers. Instead of an immediate abolition of agricultural diesel subsidies, these are now to be gradually reduced. A planned abolition of a vehicle tax exemption was also completely withdrawn.

However, the farmers say this does not go far enough. "In the end, this means dying in installments," said Joachim Rukwied, president of the German Farmers' Association (DBV), at an event of the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) party on Monday.

With the demonstrations, farmers are exercising their fundamental right "to communicate to society and politicians that Germany needs a competitive agricultural sector," said Rukwied.

"We ask the population for their understanding. We don't want to lose the great support and solidarity that we receive from large sections of society," Rukwied told local media Stern. "However, when we are on the road with tractors, there will inevitably be traffic disruptions."

As in previous weeks, there were reports on Monday of farmers overstepping the limits of what is permitted. Outside of Berlin, reporters from the public broadcaster RBB were threatened and insulted.

In Lower Saxony, in addition to dangerous traffic situations caused by blocked highways, there was also a direct impact on industry, as production at a Volkswagen plant came to a complete standstill. Employees were unable to get to work due to the blockades, according to the company.

Last Thursday, 100 farmers blocked Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck from leaving a ferry during a private trip.