German Finance Minister Criticizes Federal Government’s Plans and Calls for Reform
In a recent interview, Danyal Bayaz, the Green Party’s Finance Minister of the German state of Baden-Württemberg, has expressed his discontent with the federal government’s plans to reduce corporate taxes, citing the need for a more equitable distribution of financial burdens. Bayaz emphasized that the states should not be expected to bear the costs of the government’s initiatives, stating, “If the points that also affect the finances of the states are that important to the federal government, then it should, of course, pay for them.”
The minister also called for comprehensive reforms in the social insurance system, particularly in the pension sector. He argued that the relationship between life expectancy and working life must be reevaluated, citing the example of a 68-year-old retiree with a bachelor’s degree and a 69-year-old retiree with a master’s degree. Bayaz believes that this disparity is a result of the current system, which does not provide the right incentives for people to continue working. He advocated for the abolition of early retirement and the introduction of more suitable state instruments to encourage people to stay in the workforce.
Furthermore, Bayaz spoke out against the state’s promotion of early retirement, stating that it is not a suitable solution for highly qualified professionals. He believes that the current system provides an incentive for well-paid employees to leave the workforce prematurely. Bayaz also expressed his support for the abolition of a nationwide public holiday, specifically the Pentecost Monday, which he sees as a symbol of a necessary shift in the country’s approach to maintaining its prosperity. While acknowledging that all of Germany’s problems cannot be solved with a single measure, Bayaz’s statements highlight the ongoing debate about the distribution of financial burdens and the need for reforms in the social insurance system.