Parts of the Union faction in the Bundestag want to abolish the solidarity surcharge, an additional tax, on July 1. This emerges from a draft resolution, which specifies the goal of strengthening purchasing power within the population. The SPD had also campaigned for the surcharge canceling to be brought forward. The solidarity surcharge was introduced to promote the structurally weak countries in eastern Germany after German unification.

The SPD opposed the proposal to abolish the solidarity surcharge on July 1. This would relieve the wealthy, who could support “the social fabric of the Federal Republic of Germany” more, in proportion. Previous political drafts stipulate that the solidarity surcharge will no longer apply to the majority of taxpayers, at the turn of the year. However, those with the highest incomes would continue to pay it in full.