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Ralf Stegner and Sahra Wagenknecht at the SPIEGEL top-level discussion

Photo: Premiere Pro / DER SPIEGEL

The SPD member of the Bundestag Ralf Stegner has accused the politician Sahra Wagenknecht of using a “populist sound”. In the SPIEGEL top-level discussion with moderator Markus Feldenkirchen, Wagenknecht had previously criticized the fact that there is no wealth tax in Germany. »It was not reintroduced because there is massive influence and strong interests that do not want the wealth tax. Politics is ducking it. That has something to do with power and wealth, of course politics gives in.”

In response, Stegner criticized the assumption that "politicians are just like that and don't want to step on the toes of those in power" as a "distortion." He had to classify Wagenknecht's statements »into the populist sound, which is currently having very problematic consequences. We notice that the right wing is growing extremely, and the distances are sometimes relatively short for you.

For Stegner, the fact that Wagenknecht is a populist is also shown by her “resentment against refugees”. There is "a problem with illegal migration, that's clear, we have to solve it," said Stegner, and Wagenknecht "doesn't talk like the right-wing radicals either." Nevertheless, he thinks it is wrong. "We have a shortage of skilled workers, we need people to come to us, and we don't benefit from labeling people who flee to us in need, as you do."

He also accused Wagenknecht: "Giving populist speeches and standing in front of demonstrations with questionable company is one thing, doing hard work, making sure that people make progress, that wages are reasonable, that pensions are paid out sensibly, that is the other thing.”

Ralf Stegner for firing top tax official who gave tax-saving tips to rich people

Stegner has also called for the dismissal of a top official from the Finance Ministry who gave tax tips to the super-rich in a luxury hotel. “It should be thrown out,” said the SPD politician in the SPIEGEL talk.

"I know how difficult it is in the public service, but this is a scandalous process," Stegner continued. »The Ministry of Finance is there to collect taxes and to encourage people to do their duty. Property is an obligation, it is written in the Basic Law.” Not everyone can do what they want.

Stegner was referring to the incident that became known in December through a ZDF documentary, in which a top official from the Ministry of Finance had advised the super-rich in a luxury hotel.

"If an executive in the Ministry of Finance gives lectures along the lines of 'If you need tips on how to avoid this, then contact me in confidence', and is also well paid for it... That is scandalous behavior." Stegner explained : »I expect managers in the public sector not only to adhere to the law and order, but also to set an example. There’s no way someone like that can stay at his post.”

Wolfgang Grupp demands lessons from the Benko case

The entrepreneur Wolfgang Grupp (Trigema) criticizes the increasing number of bankruptcies in Germany, especially the insolvency of investor René Benko. "When I see that bankruptcies rose by 26 percent last year and a Benko gets 14 billion in loans and makes one bankruptcy after another, then I understand that the rich are being hammered," said Grupp in SPIEGEL. Top conversation.

"It can't be the case that people collect while things are going well and then give up and then the taxpayer has to step in," the entrepreneur continued. »We need responsibility and liability back in our economic life.«

Grupp reported that he himself was contacted by an insolvency advisor. »He wrote to me that I was in an industry that was not sustainable and that he wanted to advise me. I should go bankrupt, then I would be richer than usual," Grupp continued. "If something like that is possible in a constitutional state and this insolvency law firm is not dissolved immediately, then I'm sorry!"

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