by Thorsten Koch

In contrast to the Union in the Bundestag, the SPD, also part of the grand coalition, favors taxes for high-earners. According to the chairman of the Union faction in the Bundestag, Ralph Brinkhaus (CDU), the Grand Coalition is not in agreement over measures to resolve the economic crisis, as tax revenues have collapsed as a result of the Corona pandemic. The SPD wants high earners to pay higher taxes and duties. The Union is against that.

Brinkhaus criticized that higher taxes did not stimulate growth. On the contrary. After the crisis, Germany would have to invest in innovations, digitization in particular. CDU budget politician Eckhardt Rehberg called tax increases “poison” for the economy. He proposed special depreciation for companies if they engaged in targeted investments with regard to climate protection and digitalization.

By contrast, Federal Minister of Family Affairs Franziska Giffey (SPD) demanded a one-off payment of 300 Euros for each child in the sense of an economic stimulus. Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD) wants to help artists and cultural workers financially. Finally, Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) campaigns for tax cuts. “We don’t need tax increases at this point,” he said. More money has to be and remain “with the people”.