In view of the sluggish economy, Federal Minister of Economics Peter Altmaier is pushing for a corporate tax reform in the coming year. If it is clear that the grand coalition hold, he wishes for the first half of 2020, a "clear start signal," the CDU politician said at the German Employers' Day in Berlin.
So far, the SPD had rejected any attempts by the Union to introduce a corporate tax reform. However, political impulses are needed in view of the muted economy, Altmaier said: "We should not wait until a commercial breather turns into a real recession."
Earlier, Chancellor Angela Merkel also called for a reduction in corporate taxes, pointing to tax cuts in the US and France. This changed the conditions of competition for companies in Germany.
Merkel also turned against "hectic measures" in view of the weaker economy. The Federal Government wants to stick to its sound fiscal policy. Social spending should be kept below the 40 percent mark. It is about strengthening growth forces.
