Thousands of tractors block Berlin traffic over plans to end diesel subsidy

Thousands of German farmers, truck drivers and agricultural workers have gathered with tractors and other heavy equipment in front of Berlin’s iconic Brandenburg Gate for another demonstration by farmers angry at the government’s plans to end tax breaks on diesel.

Police on Monday estimated that at least 3,000 tractors had already arrived for the protest and an estimated 2,000 more were on the way in a climax to their weeklong protests.

But Finance Minister Christian Lindner told thousands of the protesting farmers on Monday that there was no money for further subsidies.

“I can’t promise you more state aid from the federal budget,” Lindner told the crowd in front of the Brandenburg Gate.

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

Farmers’ Union head Joachim Rukwied, who had to take the microphone from Lindner and beg the crowd to stop booing him to hear what the minister was saying, said, “I have respect for every politician who is prepared to come to us”.

“The farmers believe that the German community, the widespread community, supports them even though the centre of Berlin has dropped to a standstill, there have been roadclosures,” he said.

“The question for the farming community now is do the protests stop today or will they go further,” he added.

On Sunday evening, police were stopping tractors from entering the demonstration area in the capital’s governmental district. “It can’t take any more,” said a police spokesperson.

Over the past week, farmers have blocked highway entrances and slowed down traffic across Germany, dissatisfied with concessions the government has already made.

Berlin announced plans to cut subsidies and tax breaks on diesel and agricultural vehicles after a court ruling tore a multibillion-euro hole in the government’s budget, forcing Scholz’s coalition to find savings.