Laschet in the ARD summer interview: “Not the time for tax relief”

Lots of vague promises, no funding plan – there is a lot of criticism of the Union’s election manifesto. Chancellor candidate Laschet pointed this out in the ARD summer interview back. And contrary to what it claims, the Union is not planning any tax cuts.

CDU boss and Union Chancellor candidate Armin Laschet has defended the Union’s election manifesto against allegations of being too vague. Laschet also dismissed the accusation repeatedly voiced by critics that the Union had no answer to the question of how to finance its projects ARD summer interview back.

The key question is how revenue for the state can be improved again after the burglary caused by the corona pandemic. The proposal of other parties to increase taxes is wrong. “During the crisis, we used a lot of government money to get liquidity in companies so that they could invest again now. Raising taxes now would be exactly the wrong approach. We have to come back to economic growth.”

Lifting the debt brake would burden younger people

He rejected the lifting of the statutory debt brake. This would be at the expense of the younger generation. Laschet emphasized that the Union – contrary to what is often shown – is not planning any tax relief. The electoral program states that the solidarity surcharge should be abolished. This is a constitutional requirement. Otherwise, the basic message of the Union is: “No tax relief at the moment – we don’t have the money.”

He was surprised by the calculations of some institutes and allegations by other parties. So far, the accusation has been that the Union does not say exactly what it wants. Now one suddenly wants to be able to calculate who should be relieved and how. “There is not a single tax relief in the program. It is not the time for tax relief.”

“Open to technology” in climate policy

When it comes to climate protection, the election program contains the concrete statement of climate neutrality by 2045, said Laschet. That is five years earlier than regulated in the Paris climate agreement. He admitted that this was decided by the current government. But it is part of the program. This also contains statements on CO2 pricing and the coal phase-out.

However, one has to be “open to technology” when it comes to these questions, according to Laschet, and cannot yet say “what will happen in February 2031 or March 2035”. When asked how expensive the tonne of CO2 would have to be for effective climate protection, he defended the Union’s stance to rely heavily on market forces and referred to emissions trading for energy in the European certificate system. This worked well, says Laschet.

“It will also need regulatory policy”

The Union candidate for chancellor admitted that not everything could be regulated through the price. “It will also need regulatory policy,” said Laschet, citing the coal phase-out as an example. This was decided by law, negotiated with the private sector and the employees “received social support when they go into early retirement”. There will be other areas where such regulations will be needed.

Tenants shouldn’t pay for CO2 pricing alone

Laschet does not want to burden the tenants with the rising heating costs that result from CO2 pricing. His own parliamentary group stopped the plan in June to share additional costs between tenants and landlords due to the CO2 price on oil and gas. Laschet pointed out that the tenant decides how much energy he uses. But the landlord can of course make his contribution through insulation or new windows. You need a solution that does justice to both.

Laschet wants to accelerate climate protection in Germany primarily by simplifying the approval and planning procedures. “If we want people to fly less, we have to build railways faster.” However, since Germany is only responsible for two percent of global CO2 emissions, major international efforts are required above all.

No support for measure

In social media format “Ask yourself!” Laschet then answered questions from users – and he was also asked about the Maaßen case. Laschet emphasized that Hans-Georg Maassen would not get any support for his election campaign from the federal CDU. Even he himself will not support him in any way.

Maaßen was formerly President of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and is a direct candidate for the CDU in a constituency in southern Thuringia. He has repeatedly attracted attention with statements that were also sharply criticized within the CDU, many assume that he is close to the AfD. When asked whether it would not be good if he spoke a word of power on the Maaßen cause, Laschet said. “There’s the power word: There’s nothing with the AfD – no cooperation.” But he will not comment on every interview by Mr. Maaßen.

SPD or Greens? FDP!

And should the Union lead the future government – which coalition partner does Laschet want? He was not asked directly, but the “quick questionnaires” that are available in the ARD summer interview as well as at “Ask yourself!” gives.

When asked why a coalition with the Greens could be more difficult than everyone thinks, Laschet said: “Any coalition that one does not want becomes difficult. But democrats must be able to form a coalition with one another – and there are points of contact with the Greens too. ” And with “Ask yourself!” – when it comes to even tighter answers – he was asked: SPD or Greens? Laschet’s answer after a brief hesitation: “FDP”.