After the Spanish government refused to cut fuel taxes last week, Spanish farmers announced that their distribution center blockades will definitely continue for another month.
And although the German government announced a plan to help residents deal with high fuel prices, the measures include little relief for truckers who have been protesting.
According to Associated Press reports, Spain's two top farming associations said they would continue talks with the government but had no plans to call off protests scheduled for October.
The announcement followed a meeting in which the government refused to offer any fuel tax cuts, but reiterated its offer of income tax relief and soft loans for farmers, fishermen and truckers.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder Friday announced tax breaks and subsidies targeted at people who drive to work, people on welfare and students. But he made no move to address the main complaint of truckers, taxi drivers and farmers who have been protesting -- high fuel taxes.
The government blames oil-producing nations and oil companies for skyrocketing oil prices.
The European Central Bank warned governments not to placate protesters' anger by sacrificing tax and spending plans that could undermine economic growth, reported AP.
The fuel protests began in France and then spread to other EU nations, most recently, Spain. The French government gave in to some trucker demands by granting tax rebates, while Germany, Britain and Spain refused steadfastly refused any relief.