The SPD dismissed criticism from Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) about its tax proposals. Parliament manager Dirk Wiese told the “Rheinische Post” (Thursday edition): “Taxing very high incomes more heavily by raising the rich‑tax would be a fair approach and not a way to squeeze a lemon”.
Wiese added that the coalition agreement already contains a tax reform aimed at small and medium‑income earners. He argued that it makes sense to postpone the top marginal rate so that the working middle is relieved, but cautioned that this relief must be offset through new revenue. According to the SPD politician, relief for “very, very many” can only work when higher‑income households are also taxed “very, very heavily”.
Merz had earlier rejected the SPD’s plan to raise taxes for high earners and heirs. In the “Machtwechsel” podcast, he remarked, “The lemon is pretty squeezed”.
