SPD parliamentary group manager Wiese insists on the reform of income tax

Mister Meadowon a scale from “full disaster” to “really great”-where is black and red?
If “full disaster” is a 1 and “full” a 10, then I would say with a view to the first 100 days: a 7.

Seriously? The traffic light must have made it mild …
No, we got a lot on the way in the first 100 days, such as the special infrastructure, relief for the economy, the first part of the pension package. Much noiseless than in traffic lights. But of course: Above all, the judge election for Karlsruhe, which has not been incurred, has overlaid a lot of it.

Schwarz-Rot has already held a whole series of conflicts, mostly public. What does that say about the spirit of the coalition?
We are different parties. The fact that the Union and the SPD sometimes represent the pure teaching does not mean a dispute immediately. I advise more serenity.

With alleviation, the week-long dispute over the judge’s posts, the SPD candidate has Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf even prompted to retreat. A little embarrassing, right?
Undoubtedly. Unfortunately, the mood of right news portals got caught in the Union faction. The coalition strained heavily and cost a lot of trust. We will now present a new candidate and I expect the colleagues to be promised this time.

Should the Union apologize to the SPD?
It’s not about someone who has to crawl to crosses. CDU, CSU and SPD were chosen as a politically only possible coalition in order to rule the country more calmly and more sensibly. That must be our claim. This is the only way to insulate the right -wing extremist AfD, which does not act in German or European interest. The plans of the so -called alternative for Germany mean unemployment for Germany. We have to prevent that.

First, the CDU and CSU showed disagreement during the electricity tax reduction, then when choosing a judge, now also when the weapons stop for Israel. Will the Union become a risk factor in the government?
With the electricity tax, I was surprised by the transverse shots from the Union in particular from the countries, especially since it was a joint decision. In addition, the tax cut for everyone, including private households, is not off the table. To stop weapons for Israel: The chancellor’s decision is perfectly correct.

How come?
The security of Israel is for us state rush and applies. However, this does not mean unrestricted solidarity with a questionable government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Parts of the Union would like to reverse the decision. Your appeal: don’t bend, Chancellor?
It is understandable and understandable that there are discussions in the Union. But the chancellor’s action is very justifiable. Of course, Israel has every right to defend itself against Hamas. However, the decisions that Netanyahu and his government are currently making goes beyond any extent and are contrary to international law. They neither lead to the liberation of the last hostages nor to relieve famine. Instead, the suffering of the civilian population in Gaza is getting bigger. Germany cannot do that ignore.

What feeling leaves the summit between Trump and Putin with you, has the Chancellor’s diplomacy offensive paid off?
I found some of the pictures of the meeting in Anchorage against the background of the constant Russian attacks on Ukraine. A good sign is that the talks will be continued and the Ukrainian president will be integrated into Washington on Monday. In this respect, the diplomatic initiatives of the federal government and its partners and allies have shown. We are now closely accompanying the upcoming discussions in EU and NATO.

New conflicts are borne in the coalition. For example, the SPD wants to ask “super -rich” more to the checkout, the Union has so far categorically rejects tax increases. Who prevails?
The SPD will never remove the fact that strong shoulders could more contribute to the common good – that is a question of justice, so we stay loyal and persistent. I know that these discussions with the Union are not easy, but we should lead them. Especially in the case of income tax reform to relieve small and medium -sized incomes, we should come to the results promptly.

Chancellor Merz, however, had put them as “not fixed” with the financing reservation.
A tax reform in this segment is necessary and also counter -financing. This would relieve the skilled worker and all those who, for example, stand out in shift operation in the chemical or auto industry. The top tax rate could work later, but we put a lot of income more at the income tax rate. We openly put this up for discussion. This is how the Union does it on topics that are important to it.

Like basic reforms in the welfare state, for example. The CDU general secretary speaks of a “autumn” with a view to the citizens’ allowance. Will you be afraid and worried when you hear that?
No. A commission will now fundamentally deal with the question of how the welfare state can be made fit for the future. We have already agreed on the citizens’ allowance. For example, we will sanction those harder that take advantage of the system.

And where is the great savings potential that your coalition partner sees in the civil allowance?
Restrict debates do not help here, so I have to dampen the expectations. Only a small part cheats on the system. The vast majority of citizens’ money recipients would like to work more and leave the system. It takes better framework conditions so that we can get the citizen out of the citizens’ allowance and back into the job market. That actually saves money.

Even with the pension, Schwarz-Rot prefers to leave the reform proposals to a commission. However, it only started its work in early 2026, and a reform could only come in the next legislature. Where do you get this patience from?
We are already doing a lot in the pension area, in autumn the Bundestag will adopt the first laws: We secure the pension level, at the same time we create the opportunity to voluntarily pursue employment even when retirement. These are important steps.

How the pension remains in the long term and stable is still unclear. The federal government will shoot almost 150 billion euros by 2031. Can you even afford an “in-all-rest reform”?
Fifteen years ago we led debates about too high pension subsidies. And even then, the extent did not come true – because more people came into employment, consequently paid more into the pension fund and stabilized the system with it. I want to say that the statutory pension is much more stable than many think. The Commission will make suggestions for the long -term stability of the pension, beyond 2031. And it is not excluded that we already implement some of your results in this legislature.

Again to the coalition: In mid -September, the political groups of Union and SPD want to grill together. Is less steamed afterwards?
The grill festival has been planned for a long time. In addition, it is good to meet and replace yourself from formal meetings.

If you recommend putting a conciliatory bratwurst on the grill grille so that the Operation Team Building STORE?
Let’s see who is at the grill. You can also argue violently and be different – at the end of the day you should still be able to drink a beer at the counter. This also applies to coalition partners.