Miersch highlighted income tax reform as a viable pathway to achieve this redistribution, suggesting that solutions are available if the political will exists He did, however, acknowledge the significant financial challenges facing the government, describing the budgetary planning for 2027 as a “Herculean task
Addressing the financing of social expenditures, Miersch expressed confidence in their feasibility, emphasizing the importance of strategic implementation He also defended the strong language used by SPD leader and Labour Minister Bärbel Bas, who recently dismissed statements made by opposition leader Friedrich Merz (CDU) regarding an allegedly overburdened welfare state as “nonsense” stating it was a “perfectly appropriate” response
Looking ahead to the relationship between the SPD and the CDU/CSU opposition, Miersch expressed a desire to improve collaboration He framed the current political dynamic as a “political partnership” requiring trust and cooperation He also noted the establishment of a positive working relationship with the CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader, Jens Spahn, as a potentially beneficial development for fostering a more constructive dialogue
