Thousands of tractors clogged Berlin’s streets on Monday as farmers gathered to protest proposed subsidy cuts

In November, Germany suffered a budget crisis after a court struck down $66B the government allocated to a climate fund

Amid that, Germany slashed agricultural diesel subsidies and tax breaks for farm vehicles

That sparked protests from farmers who accused Germany’s government of destroying their livelihoods

Farmers have protested by organizing large rallies, parking tractors in public spaces, and more

In response to the protests, Germany’s government dropped its plan to slash tax breaks on farm vehicles and agreed to stagger the diesel subsidy cuts over several years

Protests continued, though, with workers from different industries – such as transportation – joining them out of common opposition to rising prices and other economic difficulties

Germany’s second-largest political party, the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD), has seized on the protests to criticize Germany’s center-left coalition and growing cost-of-living crisis

On Monday, between 10,000 and 30,000 protesters congregated in Berlin, Germany’s capital

Farmers parked their tractors in Berlin’s central avenues, blocking traffic and causing major noise disruptions

Many held signs accusing the government of selling out farmers and ruining their livelihood

In a speech, the head of Germany’s farmers union said once the government reinstated the diesel subsidy, “the tractors will be withdrawn”

Germany’s finance minister – who was responsible for the cuts – later spoke before the crowd. He praised the protests for being peaceful yet warned that he “can’t promise” more “state aid”

Farmers have vowed to continue protesting until Germany’s government meets their demands

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