Minimum wage should increase noticeably
Wagenknecht wants money from wealthy people
November 13, 2023, 7:15 a.m
Sahra Wagenknecht’s future party is not due to be founded until spring 2024, but the politician has already positioned herself in terms of content. She wants to significantly increase the minimum wage and calls for more commitment from top earners. Skilled workers, on the other hand, should be relieved.
The former left-wing politician Sahra Wagenknecht has spoken out in favor of a higher minimum wage and significantly greater taxation of very high incomes and assets. “14 euros minimum wage would be necessary, that’s still a very low wage at today’s prices,” said Wagenknecht to the editorial network Germany (RND). The lower wage limit is currently 12.00 euros. Next year the minimum wage is expected to rise to 12.41 euros and in 2025 to 12.82 euros.
“Assets and inheritances in the order of hundreds of millions or even billions should be taxed more heavily in order to relieve the burden on the middle class,” said Wagenknecht, who has announced the founding of her own party. In addition, the top tax rate could be significantly “higher if it hits real top incomes and not, as it does today, the more highly qualified skilled workers,” added the Bundestag member.
The top tax rate, which is now 42 percent, used to be 56 percent. But it only took effect at a multiple of the average salary. Today it already applies to one and a half times the average income. “That’s absurd,” said Wagenknecht. She also called for a higher tax on capital income: “There is absolutely no reason why people who receive dividends pay much less tax than someone who works.”
“Reputable address” for AfD supporters
Wagenknecht announced at the end of October that he would found a new party in January. Together with nine other MPs, she announced that she was leaving the Left party, of which she had been one of the most prominent representatives for many years. With her new party, she says she also wants to offer AfD supporters a “reputable address” for voting.
“The Left is not my political opponent,” emphasized Wagenknecht in an interview with the RND. “I hope the party finds itself.” In her opinion, there is “insufficient voter potential” for the party’s current course. After Wagenknecht and her loyalists left, the Left in the Bundestag fell below the minimum strength for parliamentary group status. The group now wants to initiate its own dissolution.