German Green party leader Robert Habeck has defended his proposal to introduce social insurance contributions on capital gains, calling it a part of a broader reform of the healthcare system. “This is part of a reform that makes the financing of the healthcare system more efficient and solidarity-based” Habeck told the Bayern media group.
“The whole thing is part of a reform that makes the healthcare system more efficient and solidarity-based. It’s about relieving the many, and the CDU and SPD remain silent, and social insurance contributions continue to rise” Habeck said, criticizing the opposition parties.
Habeck’s proposal had been heavily criticized by the CDU and SPD, but the Green party leader emphasized that he wants to relieve average earners, such as bus drivers, care workers, and teachers. “Who works should not be the fool. We need solutions for that” Habeck said. According to him, the daily life needs to become more affordable again, and that requires ideas.
Habeck also sees the need for more people to work in Germany in general. “We need to increase the working volume, otherwise the country will not be able to exhaust its economic potential” Habeck said. This idea of increasing the working volume is also a core statement by CDU chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz.