Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) has defended the coalition's reform package against criticism. The decisions also contain a lot for employees, Klingbeil said on Sunday in ARD's Sommerinterview. Families would receive tax relief, and Sunday and public holiday bonuses would benefit from greater tax breaks. In addition, the coalition wants to take a more robust approach toward China. This was very important in the medium and long term for industrial jobs in this country.
He said he understood there was a debate about the tightened rules on sick leave certificates from the first day of illness, the SPD leader said. He was confident, though, that a pragmatic implementation was possible.
Klingbeil saw two elements as the solution: If, firstly, you say you do not have to drag yourself to the doctor while sick, nor drag yourself to work while sick. And the second thing is, it would be best if we gave the social partners or companies the option to regulate this the way they would like. He believed a number of employers would also not insist on a sick note on the first day.
The coalition's agreed tax relief of ten billion euros for small and medium incomes was an important step, Klingbeil emphasized. He could, of course, have imagined even more, but this is now a good compromise for the time being. For a family facing burdens elsewhere, six hundred euros a year is not nothing.
Because the health and pension reform would lead to burdens, and that is why this outlook on relief is all the more important, Klingbeil said. It was important, however, that this country is made fairer. That was why he had fought hard to ensure that the surcharge on top earners would now be expanded to help finance the tax relief.
Klingbeil stressed that reforms to the social security systems were necessary. Doing nothing here would be the worst thing one could do to this country right now. Because if we do nothing on pensions, then it will become more expensive and pensions will get worse.
Klingbeil does not see the coalition anywhere near the end of the reform path with the package of 34 measures adopted on Wednesday. We have now covered a small stretch of the way, but no more than that, he said. And that is why the standard must remain high.
From breaking news to thought-provoking opinion pieces, our newsletter keeps you informed & engaged.
By subscribing, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
