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In view of the corona pandemic, over 100 artists and civil society organizations have called for greater taxation of wealth and more fair distribution in an open letter to the federal government.
"The crisis exacerbates the social division and threatens to accelerate the wear and tear of the social infrastructure," said the general manager of the Paritätischer Gesamtverband, Ulrich Schneider, of the Berliner “tageszeitung” on Wednesday.
"It would be irresponsible not to use the wealth of our society now for social cohesion".
Celebrities like the writer Christoph Hein, the singer Annette Humpe or the actress Maren Kroymann, but also organizations like Oxfam and Attac are among the signatories.
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In view of the corona pandemic and socio-ecological challenges, large inheritances and gifts would have to be effectively taxed and a wealth tax introduced with a high tax rate and a sufficient allowance, the signatories demanded.
They also warned against cutting public and social spending.
According to reports by the “taz”, the letter was initiated by the alliance “He who has, who gives”.
Merkel's rejection of a property levy to finance the costs of the corona pandemic "dismayed us," the letter said.
The 45 richest households in Germany are owned by more than the poorer half of the population.
This inequality has increased further through the crisis. "The hyper-rich have become even more affluent, while the financial and social hardship of financially weak groups is likely to increase," the letter says.