Less bureaucracy, abolish citizens’ money, limit social security contributions – and “just do it”: CDU General Secretary Linnemann wants to talk about growth instead of debt in the report from Berlin. SPD Prime Minister Woidke also wants to “do things instead of complaining.”
Germany’s economy is weakening for various reasons, there is a shortage of skilled workers and workers, the political climate is testy, including in the Bundestag, as the recent budget debate has shown again – so what should we do? The Union opposition fluctuates between cooperation or confrontation with the Chancellor and the traffic light government. At the weekend, Olaf Scholz received mail from Union parliamentary group leader Friedrich Merz: a twelve-point list of demands to stimulate the economy.
In the Report from Berlin CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann defended the plan against criticism, for example that there was no mention of financing the proposals. “We basically want to attack the system, it can’t go on like this anymore,” said Linnemann. “This country is drowning in bureaucracy.” The Union doesn’t just say no. “We say how it can be done better.”
“I don’t understand the concerns”
Linnemann announced a “major welfare state reform” for March. The CDU wants to abolish citizens’ money in this form, repeal the heating law and create impulses for growth. “So that those who work more also have more net income.” This would quickly result in 50 to 60 billion more taxes. However, Linnemann did not want the proposals to be understood as a government program.
He also doesn’t understand the concerns, he said, for example with regard to the plans to limit social security contributions or tax-free additional earnings for pensioners. “Let’s try this out for two years – and I’ll tell you: the state benefits from more tax revenue, employers are happy about more specialists and employees are happy about more net income.” That’s how it would work. “Just do it.” Instead of always saying why something doesn’t work.
In general, he no longer wants to talk about debt, but rather about growth. This would also help you get out of lethargy and create a signal for departure. Linnemann then spoke briefly about debt: “New debts that fuel inflation cannot be created with the CDU.”
The SPD recipe against them Economic crisis? Less pessimism
The SPD is also thinking about growth and debt. Brandenburg’s Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke presented Report from Berlin Once again it is clear: “The debt brake must not be a brake on the future.” When asked about the discussion about reducing corporate taxes, the SPD politician said: An overall concept is needed, including to finance the lack of investment in infrastructure. He called the SPD’s recipe for combating the economic crisis: “Do it instead of complaining.” The pessimism is exaggerated. “We are a strong country.”