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Danyal Bayaz
Photo: Marijan Murat / picture alliance / dpa
The Baden-Württemberg Minister of Finance, Danyal Bayaz, believes that tax increases after the crisis are unavoidable due to the heavy burden caused by the war in Ukraine and the corona pandemic.
"Why not something like a war solo in such a difficult time," asked the Green politician on Thursday evening in the SWR program "Zur Sache Baden-Württemberg".
The traffic light has ruled out tax increases in its coalition agreement.
"I think that's also dangerous in an acute crisis." But once this crisis is over, the question will have to be answered as to who will foot the bill for the aid packages and the special fund for the Bundeswehr.
That's only possible with tax increases.
"In my opinion, there's no getting around that at the end of the day."
»We should really give up this nonsense in the future«
Bayaz emphasized that the question of tax justice must also be asked.
Unlike the Greens in the federal government, he rejects the reintroduction of the wealth tax as too costly and bureaucratic.
Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) is not entirely wrong with his concerns.
"Every year the company, the vintage car, the Picasso on the wall has to be re-evaluated," said the Green.
Costs and benefits are not balanced here.
There are better ways to tax the rich more heavily.
He advocated reducing the exemptions from inheritance tax.
In any case, it is not a long-term solution to just shoulder the additional burdens through higher debts.
Bayaz spoke out against Lindner's plans to soften the so-called cold progression for the rich.
"You don't have to do that for top earners or high earners." This tax relief should only benefit small and middle incomes.
The 38-year-old Minister of Finance renewed his criticism of the tank discount with sharp words.
"That's the very worst measure." That was a "redistribution from the state to oil companies."
“It was primarily the rich people who drive big cars that use a lot of fuel that benefited”.
Bayaz appealed to the traffic light: "We should really give up this nonsense in the future."
dop/dpa