(de-news.net) – Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has unequivocally affirmed that all coalition partners have reached a consensus stipulating that tax increases shall not be pursued under the terms of the current coalition agreement. He reiterated that the agreement remains valid and binding. The Chairman of the CDU further elaborated that the subject of potential tax hikes has been thoroughly and rigorously debated during the coalition negotiations. Both he and Markus Söder have made it explicitly clear that they would neither endorse nor sign any coalition accord containing provisions for increased taxation.

Merz noted that the SPD is fully cognizant of this position. While acknowledging that the SPD holds differing views on the matter, he emphasized that such divergence is entirely legitimate — just as the CDU and its affiliated parties maintain distinct perspectives on other policy domains. In Merz’ view, effective political cooperation should be grounded in the pursuit of common objectives rather than in the amplification of ideological differences. He concluded that constructive governance and institutional stability are best achieved through a focus on shared priorities and mutual understanding.