UPDATE - Thousands of German farmers block roads to protest subsidy cuts

UPDATES WITH COMMENTS FROM CHANCELLOR SCHOLZ, ADDS MORE DETAILS

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) – Thousands of farmers in Germany began nationwide protests on Monday against the government’s plans to cut agricultural subsidies.

In the capital Berlin, hundreds of farmers parked tractors in front of the city’s landmark Brandenburg Gate, and blocked traffic for hours in the government district.

“I would rather die than be a slave,” one farmer wrote on his tractor.

The demonstrators carried banners and signs that read: “We need our farmers!”, “How long will idiots continue to rule our country?” and “The government must go away!”

German Farmers' Association said the protests will continue throughout the week, in order to make it clear to the government that they will not accept cuts in agricultural subsidies.

“This is the only way to ensure the supply of high-quality, local food,” the association’s President Joachim Rukwied told local media.

Protests were also organized in other major cities, including Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, and Stuttgart.

The farmers obstructed traffic and blocked access to main highways by parking their tractors and trucks. Lorry drivers, who protested a recent sharp increase in tolls, also joined the action.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz's left-liberal coalition announced last month that it is planning to cut agricultural fuel and vehicle subsidies, as part of new austerity measures to meet budget rules.

Last week, the government revised its planned spending cuts, but the farmers’ association said these changes were far from sufficient to address their problems.

On Monday, Chancellor Scholz underlined that his government stands by its decision and will move forward with plans to reduce subsidies for agricultural diesel, despite nationwide protests by farmers.

"Criticism is part of democracy. It is necessary and is part of it. Nobody can complain about that. At least I won’t,” he told a news conference in Berlin.