The focus of the debate was, among other things, the AfD’s tax plans and allegations of nepotism. Moderator Sandra Maischberger wanted to know how realistic a uniform income tax rate between 22 and 25 percent was. Baumann spoke of a “remote model” whose implementation could take around one legislative period. In the short term, however, he held out the prospect of tax relief for families.

“You can be lucky that you don’t pay for animals”

Stegner sharply rejected these suggestions and accused the AfD of presenting itself as an advocate for taxpayers while at the same time attracting attention through internal affairs.

“But you, of all people, are making fun of taxpayers and what you want to give back to them or saying that you want to give something back to them and are ripping off the state itself in a way. Your people employ members of your neighbor’s family, including your stepsisters and your old grandfather. You can be happy that you don’t pay for animals out of the tax. If you look at this, how hypocritical you are when it comes to taxpayers. You say we spend a lot of money on foreigners. And you are helping yourself to one shameless way. You can basically say that it’s an amigo economy and that’s a double standard AfD.

The discussion escalated several times, for example on the topics of migration and ongoing investigations against the AfD environment. Stegner made serious allegations, which Baumann baselessly rejected. He accused the SPD politician of even benefiting the AfD with such statements.