Federal Finance Minister Lindner has once again defended the abolition of agricultural diesel subsidies. Everyone must contribute to the necessary savings, he said in the daily topics. But he wants to work to reduce bureaucracy.
Finance Minister Christian Linder wants to stick to the planned cancellation of the agricultural diesel subsidy. “Everyone has to make a contribution if we don’t want a general tax increase,” said the FDP politician in an interview with the daily topics. “I can no longer offer financial aid,” said Lindner. However, he could help reduce bureaucracy and high requirements that would burden companies. “That could be a good compromise,” said Lindner. No taxpayer money would have to be mobilized and companies would still be relieved.
Lindner once again explained the course of the federal government, which had to set priorities due to the strained budget situation. Investments in education, the armed forces, infrastructure and low electricity prices would have priority. There can be no general tax increase while at the same time complying with the debt brake. “Politicians also forego projects. For example, I canceled the new building for the Federal Ministry of Finance,” said Lindner. Healthy state finances are the goal.
Lindner considers cuts to be moderate
The cuts for farmers are moderate, said the FDP leader. Farmers received nine billion euros annually from Brussels and Berlin, three percent of which would be lost in 2025. That’s why he has the impression that the protests are about more than the current austerity measures. Pressure had built up. “There is more and more government influencing the companies,” says Lindner.
He wants to end this by creating reliable framework conditions. His suggestion: tax provisions in profitable years could improve the situation of farmers. “You can sometimes make economic policy without taking taxpayers’ money into your hands,” said the Federal Finance Minister.
Lindner pointed out several times that social benefits were also being cut. Sanctions for citizens’ benefit recipients who refused to work would bring in over a billion euros for the budget.
Booed and shouted down
Linder had previously spoken at the final rally of the farmers’ protests. 10,000 farmers and supporters vented their anger in Berlin, and Lindner’s speech was at times barely audible amidst the whistles and boos.
But we have to talk to each other and exchange ideas, which is why he accepted this difficult appointment, he said in den daily topics.