The CDU in Thuringia wants to reduce the property transfer tax. Even when “the wrong people threaten approval” – in this case the AfD.
In Thuringia, the opposition has the chance for the first time to push through a tax cut against the red-red-green government coalition. This is about a bill from the CDU, the largest opposition faction, to reduce the real estate transfer tax from 6.5 to 5.0 percent.
With the votes of the CDU, AfD and FDP, the budget committee of the state parliament on Friday cleared the way for the decision, which is expected to be made in parliament in Erfurt on Thursday.
Outrage from the government
The Left, SPD and Greens reacted indignantly. Red-red-green has no longer had its own majority in the state parliament since 2020. The minority coalition had warned the CDU against giving the AfD, which the state Office for the Protection of the Constitution has classified as right-wing extremist, the power to shape decisions that have an impact on the state budget.
“The CDU Thuringia is on a social and financial policy ghost ride and is being guided by an extreme right-wing party,” commented the parliamentary group leader of the Left, Steffen Dittes. According to forecasts, the reduction in real estate transfer tax can lead to annual revenue losses of between 48 and 60 million euros for the country.
Voigt defends approach
The CDU parliamentary group is primarily concerned with relieving the burden on families when purchasing real estate and providing impetus for the construction industry, among other things, said parliamentary group leader Mario Voigt. “We cannot forego making important and right decisions for Thuringia just because the wrong people are threatening to agree,” he said of the AfD’s voices and criticism of them. “We cannot accept such red-red-green blackmail attempts.”
The CDU’s controversial draft law has been before the state parliament since March. According to the CDU parliamentary group, it also contains a passage according to which the state should reimburse families for the property transfer tax when they purchase their first residential property. According to the chairman of the budget committee, Volker Emde (CDU), the CDU’s draft law was recommended to the state parliament for resolution with seven votes to six.
Source: Stern
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