A leading figure within the Left party has voiced sharp criticism regarding a recent investment summit held at the Chancellery. Ines Schwerdtner expressed concern over the frequency of meetings between Friedrich Merz and representatives of major corporations, suggesting a prioritization of business interests over the needs of the broader public.
Schwerdtner questioned the inclusion of organizations representing tenants, social welfare advocates, or environmental groups at similar high-profile events. She criticized the focus on corporate concerns, citing specific examples like the engagement with Deutsche Bank and Axel Springer.
Skepticism was also directed at the investment commitments secured from businesses. Schwerdtner questioned whether these constituted genuinely new investments or were simply existing plans presented as fresh promises to benefit the government’s image.
Furthermore, she suggested the meetings are likely aimed at building support for further tax cuts. Schwerdtner indicated a willingness within the discussions to reduce corporate taxes, purportedly to stimulate investment and potentially overturn global minimum tax agreements, a move she associated with the policies of Donald Trump and potentially enabling further tax avoidance strategies by large corporations.
