Greens Propose Universal Contribution - Critique of Linnemann's Proposal Regarding Family Divide
The Greens Lash Out Against CDU's Family Splitting Proposal and Advocate for Fairer Taxation
The Green Party has criticized comments made by the CDU's General Secretary, Carsten Linnemann, regarding family splitting, calling for a more equitable approach to taxation instead. In a statement to the AFP news agency, parliamentary vice-president Andreas Audretsch expressed concern that Linnemann's preference for family splitting over marital splitting would translate into less fairness, equality, and incentives for work.
Audretsch argued that mere increases in allowances, including those for children, would not significantly reduce the barriers for women to increase their paid working hours. He viewed this proposed tax policy as being biased toward the wealthy and particularly detrimental to women. The current marital splitting system rewards married couples with large income disparities, a point of contention that has long been criticized for discouraging one partner, often a woman in part-time employment, from working.
Linnemann suggested during an ARD program that family splitting, which would take children into account, is a popular opinion within the CDU. In contrast, Audretsch expressed a need for a fairer family taxation system. According to him, families with fewer financial resources require more support, and instead of trapping women in part-time roles, barriers hindering an expansion of their paid working hours should be eliminated.
To address these concerns, the Greens propose implementing a transferable basic allowance for newly married couples. This would replace the current marital splitting system and its lopsided effects. In conjunction with improved childcare, this measure would provide women, particularly those caught in part-time occupations, the opportunity to break free from their limited roles.
While the latest coalition agreement focuses on tax relief for moderate incomes, there are no explicit mentions of family or marital taxation reforms, including the transferable basic allowance or family splitting. Historically, the Greens have advocated for more progressive tax policies, including a reform of the existing marital splitting system, which they claim unfairly advantages higher-income couples. However, they have not yet proposed concrete changes to the system in the current coalition agreement.
Source: ntv.de, AFP
- The Green Party, criticizing the CDU's family splitting proposal, has advocated for a change in the community policy, suggesting a transferable basic allowance for newly married couples as a fairer family taxation system.
- The Greens argue that the current vocational training opportunities do not cater to those affected by family-dynamics and relationships, particularly women caught in part-time occupations due to policy-and-legislation biases.
- In the context of general-news and politics, the Greens are pushing for a reform of the existing marital splitting system, claiming it to be unfair and detrimental, especially for women, and call for equal incentives for work and equitable taxation.
