“Things cannot stay the way they are” – SPD calls for higher taxes on the rich

After months of debate about cutting the citizen's income, the SPD is now pushing for increased taxation of the wealthy. Both the left-wing Jusos (Young Socialists) and the conservative Seeheimer Circle in the SPD parliamentary group have drafted papers on a reform of inheritance and gift taxes.

As the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) reports, the Juso motion states: "This contradiction between capital and labor threatens to destroy the democratic and social constitutional state. Experiences of disappointment destroy trust and lead people to turn away from democracy. The answer to this development is consistent class struggle."

The Seeheimers explain: "In Germany, more than half of all private wealth no longer comes from personal contributions, but from inherited or transferred assets – and the trend is rising." This creates a system in which not only wealth is inherited and given away – but also inequality of opportunity, social division, and growing discontent.

SPD Bundestag member Parsa Marvi, who drafted the paper for the Seeheimers with his parliamentary colleague Philipp Rottwilm, told the RND: "Things cannot remain as they are: Large corporate assets can be transferred virtually tax-free, while smaller inheritances are taxed proportionally more heavily." Accordingly, large inheritances must finally be appropriately addressed, he argues. This would secure jobs and companies and provide targeted relief for families. "The coalition should make this a joint project," said Marvi Rottwilm, calling for "company pensions for all."

Juso leader Philipp Türmer said: "After half a year, this coalition is also idling around many issues instead of providing real answers to pressing questions of justice." He added that a social democracy is needed that is aware of its "enormous importance" and confidently represents its values. "The extremely worrying development of the SPD, which began some time ago, also obliges us Juso to examine ourselves critically."