SPD proposes higher taxes for excess revenue
In the latest development in the ongoing discussions about wealth inequality in Germany, Wiebke Esdar, the deputy SPD parliamentary group leader, has expressed her views on the matter. In an interview with the Sunday edition of the "Tagesspiegel," a prominent German newspaper, Esdar suggested that high wealth and significant inheritances could contribute more to the common good.
Esdar's statement emphasized the logical and fair nature of questioning how wealth and inheritances can benefit society. The SPD in Berlin is advocating for measures to address the wealth gap in Germany, and this proposal is set to be discussed with the CDU and CSU.
However, it's important to note that the current coalition government in Germany, formed by SPD, CDU, and CSU, has a different focus. As of mid-2025, the government emphasizes reducing corporate taxes and stimulating economic investment rather than increasing inheritance taxes or introducing new wealth taxes to reduce wealth inequality.
The coalition agreement and recent government legislative proposals focus on lowering corporate taxes from 15% to 10% and providing investment subsidies to boost business growth and competitiveness. Additionally, they plan to reduce taxes for low and middle incomes and cut corporate tax burdens rather than raising them.
There is no specific mention in the available sources of the SPD, CDU, or CSU advocating increases in inheritance tax or new taxes aimed directly at wealth redistribution, either in Berlin or nationwide. The coalition priorities appear centered on economic growth, energy price control, and other fiscal measures but not inheritance tax hikes or new wealth taxes.
Despite this, the discussions about new taxes and increased inheritance tax are happening within the context of the SPD in Berlin. It remains to be seen how these discussions will unfold and whether they will lead to concrete policy changes in the future.
Esdar's proposal for addressing wealth inequality involves questioning the potential of higher wealth and inheritances to contribute to the common good, which is a topic within the broader discourse of policy-and-legislation and politics. However, the current coalition government in Germany, primarily composed of the SPD, CDU, and CSU, has prioritized economic growth, corporate tax reductions, and other fiscal measures, with no current plans for increasing inheritance tax or introducing new wealth taxes as part of their policy-and-legislation agenda.