“Increasing the top tax rate would be a slap in the face for the top performers in medium-sized businesses,” Söder told “Stern”. “Symbolic political mind games won’t get us any further when it comes to taxes, neither economically nor fiscally.” The Bavarian Prime Minister emphasized: “Our principle must be: lower taxes, not raise them.”

Söder only wants to finance tax cuts through budget savings

Söder, on the other hand, wants to finance tax cuts solely through budget savings. “Everything else is left-wing errors.” He proposed billions in savings in youth and integration assistance, in citizen’s allowance costs for EU foreigners, in e-car funding and in the promotion of green steel. The latter alone amounted to seven billion euros, criticized the Bavarian Prime Minister.

Söder curbed expectations of an income tax reform. “In the end, there could only be small relief. For most taxpayers, that would only mean the equivalent of a cappuccino a week.” The CSU boss calls for a different approach: “It would be better to finally abolish the solos.” This is a “permanent burden for the service providers,” said Söder. He also called for “bringing forward the corporate tax reform” and “finally reducing the electricity tax for everyone”. It was promised and overdue. Inheritance tax must also fall.

Söder ruled out further easing of the debt brake. “We don’t need to loosen the debt brake,” he said. “We have already raised enough money.” This is a question of credibility, especially for the CDU and CSU.