German government backs down on farmer tax hikes after mass tractor protests
• German government proposed tax hikes for farmers, cutting diesel and vehicle tax privileges • Farmers organized major protest in Berlin with 1,700 tractors blocking roads • In response, government now backing down from tax proposals, will phase out diesel tax break gradually over years • Farmers unsatisfied, plan further nationwide protests, want tax proposals completely off the table • Government struggling to make budget cuts without political repercussions as it tries to finalize 2024 budget