Lars Klingbeil (SPD) does not exclude tax increases

SPD boss Lars Klingbeil does not fundamentally exclude tax increases in this election period. “The agreement is: no tax increases,” said Klingbeil to the newspapers of the Funke media group on Saturday with a view to the coalition agreement with the CDU and CSU. However, he had “experienced what it means in the traffic light coalition if you have stuck financially”. In the new coalition, he therefore hopes for the “openness” to talk about “the current situation and about the things that are necessary and sensible.”

Klingbeil said and added the top goal of making Germany and Europe strong and also having the financial means for this: “In turbulent times, nothing can be ruled out in principle, otherwise you will tie up unnecessarily.”

In the coalition negotiations, the Social Democrats had campaigned for the fact that very wealthy and very well earned people take on a higher responsibility, especially in these times, emphasized Klingbeil, who also leads the SPD parliamentary group and is acted as Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister. This is guaranteed via the solidarity surcharge for the top ten percent of income.

But I also “noted” that the designated Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) publicly said “that tax increases cannot be ruled out for all time”. In this respect, it is important that “we will repeat the financial situation again and again”.

The new coalition is launching the largest investment program in the history of the Federal Republic. “But there is no fair in the household,” said Klingbeil. “We have to set priorities: boosting the economy and focusing on the hard work so that effort is worthwhile – whether in the job, in family or in integration. And allow relief for small and medium -sized incomes.”

Klingbeil insisted on an income tax reform that Merz had recently questioned. “We met political appointments between the three parties and they apply,” said the SPD leader. “This means that we relieve smaller and medium -sized incomes as well as the companies.”

The SPD members called Klingbeil to agree to the coalition agreement with the Union. He promotes “out of conviction after the negotiations for approval,” he told the Funke newspapers. “It is crucial that many vote. A majority yes is a good result.”

When asked about the resistance, especially with the Jusos against an alliance with the CDU and CSU, Klingbeil replied: “I also find out a lot of encouragement to the coalition agreement.”

After the membership decision, the SPD will present a list for the cabinet, announced the party and parliamentary group leader. In doing so, “parity is taken for granted”. Klingbeil vaguely commented on the future of co-party leader Saskia Esken. “I have always made it clear that I like to work with Saskia Esken. But it does not fit into 2025 and to my understanding that men in public speculate about the future of women.”

At the same time, he praised Bärbel Bas, who “did a very convincing job as the President of the Bundestag”. “She is a strong negotiator. You will hear a lot from her,” said Klingbeil.