The leader of the Young Liberals, Franziska Brandmann, has criticized the proposal by Green party leader Robert Habeck to introduce social contributions on capital gains. The idea, according to Brandmann, lacks a clear concept, and has led to a sense of uncertainty among many young people, making them question the point of private pension planning in Germany.
Brandmann expressed surprise that the Federal Minister of Economics appears to be unaware of who invests in stocks, often young people who have already paid taxes and contributions on their wages. “I believe this is the wrong proposal” she said.
Responding to the criticism that her comments target one of the few honest proposals in the election campaign, Brandmann argued, “Just because the proposal is honest, doesn’t make it a good one.”
As an alternative to alleviate the social insurance system, Brandmann suggests the introduction of an equity pension scheme. She claimed that the SPD and the Greens had consistently blocked such a proposal in the coalition government. Additionally, Brandmann called for a financial overhaul of the statutory health insurance funds, stating that a “balance sheet correction” is necessary.