Finances - SPD in NRW state parliament calls for higher taxes on the rich
The SPD opposition in the NRW state parliament has called for higher taxes on the rich to finance education and investment costs. A joint Bundesrat initiative must be launched to reform the inheritance tax on assets worth millions and billions, said SPD parliamentary group leader Jochen Ott on Wednesday in the state parliament's budget debate. The states could use the proceeds to finance an education fund, pay nursery school teachers better and exempt all children from education fees.
Other countries invest almost twice as much in education, infrastructure or jobs as the Germans and therefore also have higher growth and better educational results for pupils, said Ott. In NRW, on the other hand, around 22,000 people protested against social cuts in October. It was the largest protest against a state government in NRW for decades. "Because the CDU and Greens are not prepared to adequately fund daycare centers and all-day schools," said Ott. In no core area of state policy have the black-green coalition in NRW been successful to date. "There are no flagship projects, no ambitious reforms."
Addressing Minister President Hendrik Wüst (CDU), the SPD opposition leader said: "Spare us your Christmas kitsch about cohesion, community and cookies for single parents." Instead, Wüst should make a clear commitment to the minimum wage and citizens' income. "You already think you're on your way to federal politics," said Ott. For Wüst, the office of Minister President is "just a career station, of which nothing should be remembered - except your Instagram account".
Germany will not be able to avoid a reform of the debt brake, continued SPD politician Ott. Further adherence to it would cost income and jobs. Ott accused the CDU opposition in the federal government of wanting a massive attack on the welfare state. "The CDU is led by a radical clique around Friedrich Merz." They are prepared to "harm the country so that they can harm the federal government".
PM Ministry of Finance Supplementary bill for the 2024 budget Plenary agenda
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- Jochen Ott, the SPD parliamentary group leader in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), advocated for a reform of inheritance tax on wealthy assets during the state parliament's budget debate.
- The SPD opposition in the NRW state parliament proposed utilizing the revenue from higher taxes on the wealthy to finance education and investment costs, particularly for nursery schools and daycare centers.
- In contrast, the CDU and Greens coalition in NRW has not shown success in key policy areas, leading to protests like the one with 22,000 participants in October, the largest against a state government in NRW for decades.
- Ott criticized Minister President Hendrik Wüst (CDU) for his lack of commitment to social issues, emphasizing the need for a clear commitment to the minimum wage and citizens' income.
- Addressing Wüst, Ott suggested his focus on federal politics might be detrimental to his current role, implying that it is just a "career station" before he moves on.
- SPD politician Ott also asserted that further adherence to the debt brake would lead to income and job losses, while accusing the CDU opposition in the federal government of aiming for a massive attack on the welfare state.
- Despite the ongoing discussions and debates in the state parliament, the future budget supplementary bill and the plenary agenda in the PM Ministry of Finance remain key topics to monitor.
Source: www.stern.de
