Germany’s Right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is calling for the government to provide aid to the country’s local breweries and inns, many of which are threatened with disaster because of the ongoing lockdown in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown.

Germany, which has a long brewing tradition, is home to many breweries, some of which have been in existence for centuries. And although there had been a boom in small breweries in recent years due to the explosive popularity of craft beers around the world, the sudden shock of a long-term lockdown is now threatening their very existence, as previously reported by Voice of Europe. Pubs and restaurants have all been closed, public events where beer is served have been cancelled, and exports have decreased as a result of border closings.

In response, the AfD is saying that the government must provide financial aid to breweries and inns that does not need to be repaid. “Loans and deferrals do not help them,” Stephan Protschka, an AfD MP from Bavaria, said in a report by Junge Freiheit.

Alice Weidel, the Chairman of the AfD’s parliamentary group in the Bundestag, urged for small- and medium-sized restaurants to be allowed to reopen as soon as possible. She pointed out that there are social distancing measures that can be taken in such places, such as if only every other table is occupied by patrons, and that the eating areas can be regularly disinfected.

Beatrix von Storch, Weidel’s deputy, seconded Weidel’s recommendation, and said, “What applies to shops must also apply to beer gardens, restaurants, and cafes.” She expressed disapproval that on April 23, which is Germany’s national Beer Day, beer gardens and restaurants were all closed, despite the fact that countries like South Korea have already demonstrated that it is possible to reconcile safety with reopenings.

voiceofeurope.com/2020/04/germany-populist-afd-calls-for-aid-for-local-breweries-and-inns/