Bundestag election: SPD wants tax cuts for almost everyone and billions in funds

After a victory in the federal election, the SPD wants to relieve the burden on almost all citizens, push for massive investments and ensure that life remains affordable. “As the SPD, we are firmly convinced that if Germany is to be better off, then everyone in the country must be better off,” says the draft election program, which is available to the German Press Agency. It is to be decided by the party executive committee in the Willy Brandt House on Tuesday.

“We will fight for you,” promises the SPD. This combative attitude is probably necessary in view of the current surveys – because the Social Democrats are still well behind the Union. Recently, however, the SPD has caught up slightly in several surveys. Accordingly, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s party got 15 to 17 percent, the Union with Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz got 31 to 34 percent. The Social Democrats are racing to catch up with these issues:

Taxes: More net from gross – but not for everyone

95 percent of taxpayers should be relieved. Exactly how this is supposed to happen remains vague. Among other things, the VAT on most foodstuffs is to be reduced from seven to five percent. At the same time, the SPD wants to reach out more to those who have a lot of money: super-rich people with assets of over 100 million euros should pay a wealth tax.

The taxation of inheritances, real estate profits and financial transactions should also be reregulated. The solidarity surcharge for citizens with higher incomes should remain.

Economy: Investment offensive bypasses the debt brake

For more investments in electricity and heating networks, charging stations and housing construction, the SPD wants to set up a so-called Germany Fund from which investments and loans will be financed. The state should pay in 100 billion euros, which is financed by loans but runs as a financial transaction outside the debt brake. At the same time, the fund should also be able to raise private capital, for example from insurance companies and pension funds.

The SPD is also planning an investment bonus: investments in machines and equipment should be supported with ten percent of the purchase price through a tax refund.

Industry: Lower electricity costs and subsidies for electric cars

The SPD promises affordable energy for companies. To do this, she wants to first stabilize the rising network fees due to the expansion of the electricity network, then cap them “as quickly as possible” at three cents per kilowatt hour.

To support the auto industry, the purchase of an electric car produced in Germany should be supported with a tax deduction for a limited time, not only for new cars, but also for young used and leasing models.

Work: Minimum wage 15 euros from 2026

The SPD wants a minimum wage of 15 euros by 2026 at the latest. The limitation of employment contracts without objective reasons should be prohibited – and the objective reasons should be critically examined.

For unemployed people, periods for qualification should no longer be counted towards the duration of receipt of unemployment benefit. The SPD also wants to enforce the right to further training and a new career start in all phases of life.

Finance: Debt brake with exception for investments

The SPD believes it is right to take out loans for long-term investments. Exceptions should be created for this in the debt brake. In addition, the states should also be allowed to take out loans. Regulations for emergencies and economic downturns as well as repayment requirements should be adjusted.

Housing: Limit rents and cheap building land

The rent control, which expires next year, is to be extended for a longer period of time. Index rents should be linked to the development of basic rents instead of the inflation rate. In tense residential areas, rents should only be allowed to rise by six percent within three years. The landlord should no longer be allowed to pass on the entire property tax to his tenants. In addition, locals, especially young families, should receive discounted building land from their municipalities.

Pension: Stable security

The SPD wants to set the pension level at 48 percent – there was already a push for this in the broken traffic light coalition, but it is currently on hold. Government funding for private pension provision should be given primarily to those who would otherwise not be able to afford it. The Social Democrats reject raising the retirement age.

Families: New rules for parental allowance

The SPD wants a family start time: For the first two weeks after the birth, partners should be able to take time off with full salary payment. There should be staggered maternity leave in the event of miscarriages.

There should be stronger incentives for fathers when it comes to parental allowance: each parent should be entitled to six non-transferable months of parental allowance – and an additional six months should be freely distributed between both parents.

Health: Guaranteed appointment with the doctor and capped care costs

There should no longer be any differences in waiting times and treatment options for those with private and statutory insurance. The SPD promises an “appointment guarantee from the health insurance companies and statutory health insurance associations”. The personal contribution for inpatient long-term care should be capped at 1,000 euros per month.

Traffic: long-distance train stops, speed limit, help with driving license

Long-distance trains should stop in all major cities, there should be more ICE Sprinters, night trains and Europe-wide express train connections. The Germany ticket should be offered permanently.

There should be fast charging stations for electric cars at every supermarket parking lot and every gas station. A speed limit of 130 kilometers per hour should apply on motorways. Driving licenses should become cheaper – through a government subsidy of 500 euros for all young people over the age of 17. They should also be able to use the money for train tickets.

Climate: paradigm shift in funding policy

When it comes to climate protection, the SPD wants to focus more on community solutions such as district-wide heating networks and less on individual citizens. Government funding should primarily be given to those who cannot otherwise afford to switch to climate-friendly technologies such as a heat pump or an electric car. “But then as much as is needed,” promises the SPD.

Security: More protection against sexual violence

The number of personnel in the security authorities is to be further expanded and protection against sexual violence and hate crime is to be improved by tightening the law. Protection against discrimination in the Basic Law should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

Migration: Faster deportations, no external asylum procedures

Although the SPD advocates “quick and consistent deportations,” particularly of criminals, it still prefers the voluntary return of migrants without the right to remain in their countries of origin. However, it clearly rejects the relocation of asylum procedures to countries outside the European Union.

Defense: At least two percent of GDP

“At least two percent of the gross domestic product” should continue to flow into defense in the future. This corresponds to the current NATO target with room for improvement. The program also contains a clear commitment to the stationing of US medium-range weapons in Germany, which is also controversial within the SPD and which Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) surprisingly negotiated with outgoing US President Joe Biden at the NATO summit in the summer.

Military service: new model, but not compulsory

The SPD rejects the reintroduction of compulsory military service. But she wants to introduce a “new, flexible military service” that is voluntary and should be based “on the needs of the Bundeswehr”. However, no details are given. Young people already have the opportunity to do voluntary military service in the Bundeswehr.

Ukraine: No to Taurus, nothing to security guarantees

The arms deliveries to the country attacked by Russia should continue “with prudence and a sense of proportion.” However, the maxim should apply that Germany and NATO do not become parties to the war. This also includes: The Taurus cruise missiles that Ukraine requested last year are not being delivered.

The election program contains nothing on the current discussion about Ukraine joining NATO, a peacekeeping force in the event of a ceasefire or other security guarantees for Ukraine.