Ahead of a coalition summit focusing on reform policy this Wednesday, SPD campaigners Jochen Ott (North Rhine-Westphalia) and Steffen Krach (Berlin) are urging the federal government not to settle for a modest adjustment in the income tax reform.
Spokesman for the SPD in Berlin, Steffen Krach, told Spiegel that the public understands that Germany requires reform in many aspects and expects the government to address these issues. “From my perspective, this primarily includes a genuine reform of the income tax to finally provide relief for small and medium incomes,” he stated. He expects the Union party to take action and stop opposing a heavier burden on top earners, emphasizing that this is a matter of fairness and would also benefit the economy if the vast majority of people finally had more disposable income.
Similarly, Jochen Ott, the SPD’s top candidate for the North Rhine-Westphalia state election next spring, called for the federal government to think big. Ott told Spiegel that the income tax reform must serve as the central tool through which the government grants working people and their families greater financial freedom. He affirmed that the SPD is prepared to introduce a genuinely comprehensive income tax reform package and expects the Union to participate in this effort.
“People feel that changes are necessary,” added Ott. “But if you only tell them from Monday to Sunday that you plan to take things away from them, that does not create social momentum. A reform must always be a promise for a better future.”
