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IMF head Kristalina Georgieva: “On a human level, I understand their difficulties”
Photo: Olivier Douliery / AFP
The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, has warned European governments not to give too much financial support to farmers in the face of weeks of protests. "On a human level, I understand their difficulties and it is not easy to do their job," Georgieva said on Thursday at a press conference in Washington, referring to the farmers.
"But if this feeling continues and it pushes governments into a corner where they can no longer do what is necessary to strengthen economies, then the time will come when they regret it."
Many discussions with finance ministries
The IMF head continued that she had spoken to many representatives of finance ministries. They would see how important budget consolidation is. “But you also realize how difficult it is to withdraw support.” Georgieva added: “It is easy to give; it’s difficult to take it back.”
In recent weeks, numerous farmers have taken to the streets in Germany, France and other European countries. In Germany, the protest was sparked by the planned cuts in state support. The federal government then abandoned the planned abolition of vehicle tax advantages for agricultural businesses. However, the elimination of subsidies for agricultural diesel will continue to be implemented - now gradually until 2026.
Meanwhile, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised farmers less bureaucracy on Thursday. She wanted to make a proposal to the member states shortly "to reduce the administrative burden," she said at the end of the EU summit in Brussels.
hen/AFP