The SPD argues that larger fortunes should be pulled more into public financing. In a draft of a party‑board resolution on economic policy-reported in the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” newspapers-the party states that “inequality and tax injustice create unrest”. It points out the problem that most of society has little or no wealth, while the top one per cent holds more than all the rest combined. The tax system is portrayed as the key lever to change this. “Those who have more can and should contribute more” the paper says. This would not apply if multimillion‑ and billionaire inheritances are often taxed at very low rates or not at all, whereas ordinary inheritances pay the full amount. It also calls for relief for low‑ and middle‑income earners, and for a fairer taxation of top wealth.
In its economic review the SPD warns against cuts to the welfare state, indirectly scrutinising its coalition partner, the Union. “Imposing competitiveness and location policy that hinges on cheaper wages, social‑welfare retrenchment, or a policy that devalues workers’ life choices is essentially a repeat of 1980s recipes” the document says. Those old policies “were wrong then and even more so now, they no longer meet the challenges of our economic model”. The SPD points to evidence that tax‑competition drives down infrastructure money and heightens inequality. Calls for dismantling the welfare system and for forcing workers to work more are described as outdated reflexes.
The SPD also specifically criticises the Union’s push to restrict part‑time work. The paper argues that “broadly denigrating part‑time employment ignores the realities of families, care work, continuing education and health”. It stresses the need to enable women and men who wish to work more to do so, which requires expanding childcare provision and developing work‑time models that make balancing family, care and career easier.