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Union leadership largely agrees on election platform

2021-06-25T12:00:16.164Z


Tax cuts for companies, faster increases in CO2 prices, rejection of a combustion ban: the CDU and CSU have almost finished their election program. There is only one point of controversy.


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Party leaders Söder, Laschet (in April): CSU with its own program for Bavaria

Photo:

Michael Kappeler / dpa

They took their time for a long time: While all the other parties represented in the Bundestag have already decided on an election program or at least published a draft, it has so far been unclear what the CDU and CSU actually intend to do in a possible new government. That is changing now. On this Sunday evening, the party leaders Armin Laschet (CDU) and Markus Söder (CSU) want to clarify the last open questions in a joint retreat of the presidia, on Monday the program should be finally decided.

But shortly before the official meeting of the union leaders, most of the points of contention had been cleared, it is said from union circles. With one exception: the CSU insists on expanding the maternal pension again - as in the two previous legislative periods. The sister party is opposed to it, only at the weekend had CDU Vice Volker Bouffier declared the project to be unaffordable. It will therefore not appear in the joint election program, but it should be found in the CSU program for Bavaria. "I'm very sure that the mother's pension will be in a coalition agreement in the end," said CSU boss Söder of "Bild am Sonntag".

At the center of the program is a promise of modernization for Germany as a consequence of the corona pandemic.

The Union promises, among other things, to make Germany a climate-neutral industrial country by 2045 and to break new ground in pension policy.

"We will relieve both citizens and companies instead of burdening them" is one of the key phrases in a draft program that is supposed to reflect the state of negotiations from the middle of the week.

"Especially after the pandemic, tax increases are the wrong way to go," as they would work against the necessary economic upswing.

The following central points can be found in this draft program - however, Union politicians emphasized that changes to details are still possible until Monday:

  • Economy:

    Companies should "not be subject to any new burdens" so that the economy can regain momentum after the pandemic. New taxes on assets such as wealth tax or the increase in inheritance tax are rejected. The Union is aiming for a “competitive corporate tax of the order of 25 percent”. Companies should be relieved of bureaucratic costs running into billions. According to the draft, the minijob limit of 450 euros is to be increased to 550 euros, the CSU wanted to hear 600 euros.

  • Climate:

    Germany is to become mandatory greenhouse-neutral by 2045. The Union relies on "the market-based instrument of emissions trading with social compensation," and they are striving for European trade with a uniform price and global connectivity. The growth path of CO2 pricing should be streamlined and "move as quickly as possible to a price established on the market in the newly established European emissions trading for mobility and heating". Specific CO2 prices are not given. The income should be returned in full to citizens and companies via the electricity price.


    There should be no general ban on internal combustion engines: "We are giving the internal combustion engine a future with renewable fuels."

  • Traffic:

    A diesel driving ban is rejected, as is a general speed limit on motorways.

  • Pension:

    There is no requirement for a higher retirement age in the draft. The aim is to help people to reach the actual standard retirement age "and also to set stronger incentives to work longer," it says.


    In addition, the Union is planning a "generation pension" for every child. For this purpose, the state should pay 100 euros per month for every child from birth to 18 years of age into a generational pension fund, which invests the money in a return-oriented manner. Last week, CDU social politician Kai Whittaker proposed a similar "child pension".


    For low-wage earners, company pension schemes are to be made mandatory, subsidized by the state.

  • Finances:

    The Union rejects constitutional amendments to soften the debt brake.

    Major reliefs are not announced.

    They stand for a solid financial policy: "We don't make promises that we can't keep."

  • Internal security:

    An "update of all security authorities with a triad of more staff, better equipment and contemporary skills and powers," promises the Union.

    Criminal clans "mustn't have a quiet minute", they say.

    Right-wing extremism remains the greatest threat to the open society.

    Violent left-wing extremism must also be consistently countered.

    Anti-Semitism must be named and combated, regardless of whether from right-wing or left-wing extremists or from a migrant milieu.

fdi / dpa

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2021-06-25

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