Karl Haeusgen, the leader of the Green party’s economic association, has advocated for the implementation of higher taxes on the wealthiest individuals in Germany. Speaking to the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, he supported establishing a minimum levy on large and very large fortunes, suggesting the threshold should start at approximately €100 million. Haeusgen outlined that this tax could amount to about two percent annually, adding that this source of revenue would not necessarily need to deplete the principal, even if significant fortunes increase by as much as six percent per year.
To enhance domestic tax fairness, Haeusgen proposed allowing the tax paid on capital gains and income earned within Germany to be reconciled against each other. He described this as “smart and fair” arguing that such a measure would counterbalance potential cuts in social benefits. He stressed that maintaining social cohesion, which he views as a crucial factor for local economic strength, is paramount.
Personal context emerged when Haeusgen mentioned that, in fact, he could be affected by such a levy, as he is a co-owner of a medium-sized company with annual revenues of about half a billion Euros.
From a political standpoint, Haeusgen outlined the strategy for the Green economic association to broaden its appeal. The goal is to be attractive to disillusioned former members of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), as well as independent entrepreneurs who possess a “green heart” and disagree with what he perceives as the federal government’s climate-unfriendly policies. He also noted an effort to appeal to liberal individuals who feel alienated by what they describe as the sometimes right-wing tendencies of sections of the Union.
Furthermore, Haeusgen criticized the federal government’s recent policy decisions concerning elevated fuel prices. He dismissed the general reduction of the mineral oil tax as a non-targeted measure, calling it “helping with a watering can”. In his view, the policy benefit accrues unfairly to those who can already afford luxury expenditures, such as driving a Range Rover to Kitzbühel, rather than implementing measured, gradual steps to exit Germany’s reliance on fossil fuels.
(Additional background provided that Haeusgen served as President of the conservative Association of German Machine and Plant Builders (VDMA) from 2020 to 2024, and has served alongside Marie-Luise Wolff since mid-2025 in leading the Green party’s economic association.)
