Industry and fdp against merkel plan for “soli” after 2019

He referred to the fact that the soli "had a clear idea, namely to stem the reunification". When the election campaign is over, "politicians must ask themselves much more intensively what services the federal government, states and municipalities must provide," wansleben demanded. "Demands should be made in a reformed financial equalization according to need and not according to the direction of the skies."

Chancellor merkel has recently made it clear that the union wants to hold on to the federal tax also after 2019. The specific demand for the east should then be transformed into a demand for regional necessity. The FDP, on the other hand, is the only party to call for the abolition of the 5.5 percent solidarity surcharge on income and corporate taxes without any alternative. Finance minister wolfgang schauble (CDU) sees no need for talks. The "soli" is "part of the solidarity pact, it runs until the end of 2019, so far it is fixed by law".

The FDP, however, insists on its demand. Former chancellor helmut kohl (CDU) clearly stated that it was a temporary supplementary tax to finance german unification, FDP top candidate rainer bruderle told "welt am sonntag". "I assume that this word is valid."

From bruderle’s point of view, the abolition of the soli is bearable in view of the increasing tax revenues. "I assume that the finance minister will make good proposals on how the end of the solidarity surcharge can be financed," said the FDP politician with a view to possible coalition negotiations after the federal election.