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Finance Minister Christian Lindner and Economics Minister Robert Habeck in the Bundestag
Photo: Britta Pedersen/dpa
Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) and Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) say they want to work together on corporate tax reform and further relief for the economy. On Sunday evening, Lindner once again rejected his cabinet colleague's proposal to set up a special fund worth billions to relieve the burden on companies. In the ARD “Report from Berlin,” the FDP politician said: “Because of me, this speech in the Bundestag didn’t have to take place. We could have discussed this differently with each other. But now this debate is here. Now let’s do something constructive with it.”
If the economics and finance ministers thought that something had to change in economic policy, “then that must now have concrete consequences for the federal government and for the coalition,” Lindner made it clear.
Economics Minister Habeck (Greens) brought a special fund into play in the Bundestag on Thursday in order to solve structural problems. For example, he mentioned the possibility of creating tax credits and tax depreciation options. Lindner rejected a special fund, saying it would mean new debts.
The finance minister spoke of a “dynamization package” that included the areas of the labor market, climate protection, energy prices, bureaucracy and taxes. If you really want to do something about taxes, the easiest and quickest way would be to abolish the solidarity surcharge for companies. This would also have the advantage that states and municipalities would not be burdened. But you then have to talk to each other about counter-financing.
Habeck reiterated his analysis on the ARD program “Caren Miosga” that the German economy has a weak investment and that the tax burden for many companies is higher than in international competition. The Green politician referred to the government's Growth Opportunities Act. This has not yet cleared the Federal Council hurdle. There are concerns in the countries. Habeck spoke of a relief volume of eight billion euros and the risk that it would become even smaller because of the dispute with the federal states. All the experts said that was far too little. Regarding his initiative in the Bundestag, the Vice Chancellor said: "This is an invitation" to talk about easing the burden on the economy.
czl/Reuters