Ines Schwerdtner, leader of the Left party, is calling for a massive economic stimulus package to modernize Germany’s economy. She warned the broadcaster ntv that the existing special funds allocated for infrastructure are far from sufficient.
“We would need several hundred billion Euros to genuinely modernize and revivify industry, the construction sector, and infrastructure” Schwerdtner stated. She dismissed the current 500 billion Euro special fund as merely a “drop in the ocean” noting that the funds are largely earmarked only for basic maintenance of bridges and roads. To mobilize the necessary sums, she demands a fundamental reform of financial policy, specifically advocating for the removal of the national debt brake.
To finance the proposed measures and general cost-of-living reductions, Schwerdtner suggests introducing a “super-profit tax” on mineral oil corporations, calling it a “multi-tool”. The revenue generated from such a tax would fund initiatives such as an “energy crisis payment” of 150 Euros, a reduction in the electricity tax, and the reintroduction of the 9 Euro transport ticket.
Furthermore, Schwerdtner reaffirmed the demand for a wealth tax targeting the super-rich. She stated, “Milliardaires must be taxed. Starting at one billion Euros, a 12 percent wealth tax would be applied”. Addressing fears that such a tax would damage economic standing, she argued that it would not harm the economy but could, in fact, create positive effects through higher purchasing power and public investment.
The Left leader also launched sharp criticism against the ruling coalition, particularly mentioning the Federal Minister-President Christian Democratic Union’s Friedrich Merz. She accused the coalition’s budget of being completely opaque due to numerous special funds. According to Schwerdtner, it is “incompetence and ignorance regarding the situation of ordinary people that is causing frustration”. She concluded that the Left’s role is to provide a “more sensible outlet” for this public discontent and organize protest socially, preventing the far-right from exploiting the growing frustration.