Frankfurt (Germany), 31 August. (LaPresse) – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has rejected any consideration of tax increases to fill budget deficits. The CDU and SPD agreed in their coalition agreement that taxes would not be increased, Merz told ZDF. ‘This coalition agreement remains valid.’ The issue was discussed at length during the coalition negotiations. Both CSU leader Markus Söder and Merz himself stated that they would not sign an agreement that included tax increases. ‘The SPD knows this,’ Merz emphasised. The Chancellor added: "It is just as acceptable that the SPD has different ideas on this issue as it is acceptable that we have our own ideas on other issues. We are not looking for what divides us. We are looking for what allows us to govern together responsibly.‘ Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) did not rule out a tax increase for higher incomes and the wealthy to close a projected gap of more than €30 billion in the 2027 budget. ’No option will be ruled out," he clarified. The issue has been under discussion for several weeks.
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