Union state group leaders: cut social contributions, drop income tax reform
The Union's state parliamentary group leaders want noticeably lower social security contributions – and would scrap the planned income tax reform to pay for it. Schnieder wants a lower electricity tax for all.
Symbolic image · Photo: Tdeppe86 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Alongside the CDU retreat, the leaders of the Union's groups in the state parliaments presented their own demands in Berlin on Sunday evening. They call for noticeably lower social security contributions, with benefits unrelated to insurance funded from taxes. To make this possible, the income tax reform should be dropped. They also want lower energy costs, relief for municipalities and consistent action against abuse of social benefits. "People expect a change of policy that they can feel in their everyday lives," said their chairman, Lower Saxony's CDU group leader Sebastian Lechner.
Union state premiers also spoke out. Rhineland-Palatinate's head of government Gordon Schnieder argued on ARD's "Bericht aus Berlin" for focusing on substance and cutting the electricity tax for everyone to cushion high energy prices. He warned against personnel debates: "Personnel disputes and personnel discussions are the guarantee of no longer being elected." Thuringia's premier Mario Voigt called for lower living costs. According to dpa, it remains open whether the reform course on pensions, long-term care and health will continue.