The Jusos remain skeptical even after the Chancellor’s concessions on reforming the social state.
Chairman Philipp Türmer told RTL and ntv that the CDU has shown “new tones”. He cautioned that the Chancellor’s proposal still feels uncertain, especially since it aims to cut dental benefits for many. “It was a clear message to his own party that you can’t reform the welfare system by stripping out dental care” Türmer said. He remains unsure whether the entire Union will endorse this approach, though it would be welcome.
When asked what reforms the government should tackle first, Türmer replied that capital gains must be tapped to fund the social state. He said it is “totally unfair” that the welfare system is financed solely through workers’ wages while wealthy individuals with massive capital gains can effectively sidestep any contribution. “Nobody wants to hit small savers. By and large, there will always be exemptions”. He added that the issue concerns “other people”-about ten German billionaires under the age of 30, who likely inherited or were gifted their wealth rather than earning it themselves. “They contribute almost nothing to the financing of our welfare system; that cannot continue”.
Türmer said that the fact that CSU leader Markus Söder recently ruled out inheritance‑tax reform does not worry him. He noted that Söder changes his position every few days, especially on Ash‑Wednesday, and questions whether Söder even remembers what he previously said.