Karl Haeusgen, the head of the Green party’s economic association, has advocated for implementing a minimum tax on extremely wealthy individuals in Germany. He suggested that a tax of around two percent per year should be placed on assets exceeding approximately 100 million Euros. He noted that such a tax would not necessarily have to be paid out of existing wealth, even if large fortunes grew by up to six percent annually.
To enhance domestic tax fairness, Haeusgen proposed that the revenue generated could be offset against capital gains and income taxes paid within Germany. According to him, this measure would be “smart and fair” serving as a counterbalance to proposed spending cuts, and is crucial for maintaining social cohesion, which itself is recognized as a key factor in Germany’s economic standing.
Professionally, Haeusgen may be affected by this proposal himself, given that he is a co-owner of a mid-sized company with annual revenues of about half a billion Euros. His career includes serving as the president of the conservative association VDMA (German Engineering and Plant Builders) from 2020 to 2024. Since mid-2025, he has been co-chair of the Green Party’s economic association.
In terms of political strategy, Haeusgen highlighted the party’s aim to attract disillusioned members of the FDP. Furthermore, he wishes to appeal to independent entrepreneurs who are described as having “a green heart” and who disagree with the federal government’s climate-unfriendly policies, particularly those who are liberal and are troubled by what he views as the increasingly right-wing tendencies within parts of the CDU/CSU Union.
Separately, Haeusgen criticized recent government decisions regarding higher fuel prices. He dismissed the general reduction in mineral oil taxes as unspecific assistance, comparing it to “helping with a watering can”. He argued that such a measure benefits all, including those who do not need the subsidy, and that real policy should focus on gradual measures to reduce Germany’s dependence on fossil fuels.