Bundestag election: SPD promises up to 18 billion euros for investments

The SPD wants to stimulate the economy if it wins the election with investment subsidies amounting to 12 to 18 billion euros per year. At a closed meeting in Berlin, the party presidium fleshed out plans for a “Made in Germany” bonus, with which the state would reimburse companies ten percent of the costs when investing in machines or vehicles. According to calculations by the Social Democrats, this can increase gross domestic product by 0.17 percent in the first year.

Scholz relies on quick and unbureaucratic help

“If we want to maintain our performance for the future, then the right course must be set now,” said Chancellor and candidate for Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of the closed meeting. The “Made in Germany” bonus is more targeted than flat-rate tax cuts, as planned by the Union. The measure would help companies quickly and unbureaucratically.

Large posters with Scholz in front of the German flag

With the closed meeting, the SPD is the first party to start the hot phase of the election campaign. Secretary General Matthias Miersch presented the first large-format election posters that focus on economic and social issues: reduction in income tax for 95 percent of taxpayers and VAT for food, the “Made in Germany” bonus and reduction in electricity prices for companies, no pension cuts. Scholz can be seen large in front of a German flag on all posters. Plus slogans like: “Certainly more growth”.

More large posters are to follow later – also on the topic of the Ukraine war. “This is an issue that, in my opinion, needs to be treated in the same way as the issue of network fees, for example,” said Miersch.

Klingbeil: “We are a party of the final spurt”

The Lower Saxony SPD had already drawn up its state list on Saturday with party leader Lars Klingbeil at the top – ahead of Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who was in the meantime being discussed as a candidate for chancellor.

“We are a party that is making the final push, we are a party that can catch up,” Klingbeil told the delegates. In the election surveys there are between 12 and 20 percentage points between the Union in first place and the SPD in third place.

SPD hopes for a duel between Scholz and Merz

Klingbeil was nevertheless optimistic: “There is a lot in it for the SPD.” In the end, one question is crucial: Scholz or Merz? In his application speech, Klingbeil spoke strongly in the direction of Union Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz (CDU). He accused the Union of hiding its top candidate – and he could understand that. “The stronger Friedrich Merz appears, the worse it is for his voting results,” said Klingbeil.

On January 11th, the SPD wants to officially elect Scholz as its candidate for chancellor and adopt its election program at a federal party conference in Berlin.