“Some setbacks”: Baerbock explains a big mistake - and prepares Germany for a “mammoth task”

The chancellorship is a long way off for Green candidate Annalena Baerbock.

In an interview before the federal election in 2021, she speaks about her perhaps biggest mistake.

Munich / Berlin - Willy-Brandt-Strasse in Berlin Tiergarten was actually your destination.

Here on the Spree and within sight of the German Bundestag is the Federal Chancellery, previously the workplace of Angela Merkel (CDU), who is still in government.

After the federal election in 2021 on September 26th and the subsequent coalition negotiations, the chairs there will be moved.

Annalena Baerbock before the federal election: Green Chancellor candidate speaks about mistakes

In view of the polls, it is unlikely that the new Federal Chancellor will be named Annalena Baerbock (The Greens) less than two weeks before the general election.

The Greens, for example, recently settled in between 15 and 17 percent of the predicted voter favor.

And that after a furious start for the 40-year-old Baerbock.

However, an apparently embellished résumé, considerable allegations of plagiarism for the book that was published without further ado (with the title "Jetzt") and ultimately public misunderstandings with co-chair Robert Habeck caused rapid disillusionment after chancellor hopes.

• Bundestag election: planned tax increases by the Greens

• Singles: Top tax rate of 45 instead of the previous 42 percent for incomes of 100,000 euros or more

• Couples: top tax rate of 45 instead of the previous 42 percent for incomes of EUR 200,000 or more

• Singles: top tax rate of 48 percent for incomes of 250,000 euros or more

• Couples: top tax rate of 48 percent for incomes of 500,000 euros or more

Annalena Baerbock now explained in an interview that recently “some things” went wrong.

“There were some setbacks at the beginning of the election campaign.

At this important time, I shouldn't have done so many things at the same time and wrote a book alongside everything, "said the Green Chancellor candidate in an interview with the

Süddeutsche Zeitung

published on September 14th

:" But the choice is not a book, but the future of the country.

We can no longer do things by halves when it comes to climate protection.

We must finally guarantee justice for all generations and, above all, pursue an active foreign and European policy. "

Annalena Baerbock before the federal election: Greens see Germany facing a "mammoth task"

Should the Greens become part of the government and implement their desired climate change in society, they would prepare Germany for major challenges.

"The transformation is a mammoth task and will put a lot of demands on us as a society," said Baerbock of the

SZ

: "But if we do nothing now, the climate crisis will be more severe and it will be more expensive." She did not deny the high costs of planned measures.

The

Süddeutsche

wrote of a three-digit billion amount for the ambitious climate and social program.

In the video: Survey - Union gains two points, SPD remains stable

The citizens would like “that the state becomes more capable of acting and tackles the problems.

That will not go out of the postage, "said Annalena Baerbock - and explained:" We are striving for a triad: Combating tax fraud, that brings together an amount in the double-digit billions.

Then an extension of the debt brake to include an investment rule and finally an increase in the top tax rate and the reintroduction of the wealth tax. "

I shouldn't have written a book alongside everything.

Green Chancellor candidate Annalena Baerbock

Striking: The CDU around Chancellor candidate Armin Laschet and the Bavarian sister CSU around party leader Markus Söder have recently repeatedly used the said tax policy as an opportunity to attack the left-liberal Greens.

Your accusation: allegedly excessive taxes.

Baerbock now narrowed down what her party is planning specifically in terms of tax policy in order to stimulate investment.

Federal election 2021: Greens and Annalena Baerbock want to increase taxes for top earners

"At the top tax rate (

previously 42 percent, d. Ed

.) We want to introduce an additional level of 45 percent for income from 100,000 euros, for couples from 200,000," she explained, "and a further level above 48 percent from 250,000 euros annual income, from 500,000 for couples ".

(pm)