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SPD leader Klingbeil
Photo: Fabian Sommer / dpa
For many Social Democrats, Finance Minister Christian Lindner has recently been something of the main opponent within the coalition: a successor to the 9-euro ticket, an excess profit tax, a move away from the debt brake, higher standard rates for the new citizen income – the FDP leader ironed out a number of SPD wishes from time to time downright gruff.
The fact that Lindner instead wants to relieve the burden on citizens through tax cuts is met with resentment among social democrats.
Party left-wingers in particular consider the plans, which have been the subject of discussion for days and which the minister officially presented this Wednesday, to be unfair.
Tenor: You relieve wealthier people more than those who need it most.
Shortly after Lindner's presentation, SPD parliamentary group leader Achim Post judged that the proposed measures would "relieve high incomes particularly heavily and are therefore not yet completely balanced".
SPD party leader Lars Klingbeil is now striking a different, almost conciliatory tone.
In an interview with SPIEGEL, Klingbeil is demonstratively open to Lindner's suggestions.
"It is correct that Finance Minister Lindner is taking a constructive part in the debate on relief with his proposals," said Klingbeil.
"In addition to the 30 billion euros that were initiated in the first two relief packages, further, targeted relief is needed if the gas surcharge on top of the increased energy prices will be added again from October.
This can also include tax relief.«
Klingbeil also emphasizes that the focus is "not on the top earners in our country" but on the "hard-working middle class with small and medium-sized incomes", from which many could no longer simply absorb the price increases.
However, Lindner's suggestions are "a contribution to an overall package that should now be launched quickly."
In terms of communication, Klingbeil also sets itself apart from its co-chair Saskia Esken.
As late as mid-July, Lindner said he "clashes with the reality of the coalition agreement from time to time".
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