FDP Epiphany meeting
Lindner appeals to farmers: “You have lost your way, please turn back”
FDP party leader Christian Lindner speaks at the FDP’s Epiphany meeting in Stuttgart
© THOMAS KIENZLE / AFP
At the FDP’s traditional Epiphany meeting, Finance Minister Christian Lindner described the farmers’ protests as “disproportionate” – and clearly criticized Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck’s blockade of the ferry.
The dangerous situation in which Habeck was brought was “completely unacceptable”. “The damage to property, including the announced blockades, are disproportionate,” said Lindner, referring to past protests and those announced for the coming week. As usual, there can only be one consequence here: “Breach of the peace, coercion, damage to property – these are cases for the public prosecutor.”
Christian Lindner defends the cuts for farmers
Agriculture is not an industry like any other, because it has something to do with basic supplies. “This society has a responsibility for agriculture. But agriculture also has a responsibility for this society,” emphasized Lindner.
The farmers’ protest was sparked by the federal government’s austerity plans in the agricultural sector. However, the initially planned abolition of the exemption from vehicle tax has now been cancelled. The subsidies for agricultural diesel are to be phased out gradually.
Lindner defended the planned subsidy cuts. “Especially an industry that is so heavily subsidized at European and national level will not be able to avoid every contribution to consolidation.” One cannot, on the one hand, want to benefit from the now reduced electricity tax and demand additional funding for stable conversions and, on the other hand, stick to old subsidies. “If you want new subsidies, you also have to forego old ones,” emphasized Lindner.