Carsten Linnemann, deputy parliamentary group leader of the CDU, is the new general secretary of his party. The politician is currently working on the new basic program of the Union. He is currently regularly fighting for his position on German talk shows. They are sometimes controversial.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz proposes him, the party executive agrees: Carsten Linnemann becomes general secretary of the Christian Democrats. The deputy party leader thus replaces Mario Czaja. For many years he was chairman of the CDU/CSU association of small and medium-sized enterprises and has been in charge of work on the party’s new basic program since last year – and will continue to do so. In addition, he has been shining with omnipresence in the media for months. Whether Lanz, Maischberger or Illner, Linnemann is regularly there, explains the concerns of his party, is always combative, sometimes argumentative. In the ntv overview we show his prominent positions.
Increase starting salary for top tax rate
Linnemann has been campaigning for tax reforms for a few weeks now, which he also put in the basic program of the CDU. He wants to abolish the middle class belly, he emphasized at Markus Lanz. However, he did not explain exactly how this looks in numbers. However, the “Welt” reported on a working paper with calculations by the taxpayers’ association, which could be included in the new CDU basic program. Accordingly, the entry limit for the top tax rate of 42 percent is to be increased from 63,000 to 100,000 euros. Incomes of 300,000 euros or more are to be charged at 45 percent, and there should be a new tariff level of 48 percent from one million euros. “The tax concept of the taxpayers’ association can be a blueprint for a tax reform,” said Linnemann of the “World“.
Abolish the solidarity surcharge
Parallel to his tax plans, he wants to abolish the solidarity surcharge. It is currently partly due from an income of around 6670 euros and fully from an income of 9720 euros, writes the “Handelsblatt“. This relieves above all higher earners. A single person with an income of 8,500 euros would be relieved by 1,064 euros a year if they were abolished, it is said. With a top income of 15,000 euros, it would be a sum of 3,259 euros.
Savings in the social sector
If the burden is relieved, savings are usually also due. Linnemann sees potential for cuts in the social sector: “We have to think about a social benefit rate of 30 percent. Then it’s over,” he said at Markus Lanz. That means: 30 percent of the gross domestic product should be spent on social benefits, no more. In 2021, the share was 32.5 percent of GDP, for 2022 there are no figures yet. Linnemann has not yet explained where exactly the cuts are to be made. However, he says that the CDU wants to continue to support people “who really need it” in the future. According to Linnemann, a third mother’s pension would no longer apply.
Compulsory work for the unemployed
At the Ludwig-Erhard summit last May, Linnemann spoke about citizen income, the unemployed and the obligation to work. He wants to abolish the citizen’s income, as the name suggests that it is not a social benefit, but money that everyone gets. He calls for a job obligation for the unemployed, provided they can work. Specifically, they should find a job after six months, he also told the editorial network Germany. If this is not the case, jobs should be mediated by the municipalities.
Failure to do so will result in cuts. He pointed to the decision of the Federal Constitutional Court, which allows a reduction of up to 30 percent. “This leeway must be used, as must the possibility of awarding benefits in kind instead of money,” said Linnemann. “Everyone who receives social benefits in Germany and is able to work also has an obligation to pay. Otherwise we will lose acceptance of our social system.” However, the right to a free choice of occupation enshrined in the Basic Law, which also prohibits the compulsion to do a specific job, also stands in the way of a job obligation.
Active pension and linkage to life expectancy
Linnemann also wants to reform pensions. For example, the retirement age should be linked to increasing life expectancy. “It makes sense that we work longer as we get older,” he says at Markus Lanz. In principle, he would like people to be able to retire at the age of 67 in 2030. However, the entry age should increase by four months every time life expectancy increases by one year. At the same time, more should be done for those who cannot work until the age of 67.
According to Linnemann, the CDU would also like greater support for people with reduced earning capacity. She would also like to introduce an active pension. “Anyone who reaches the statutory retirement age can earn up to a certain amount tax-free. In the future we will have hundreds of thousands of people who will work longer. That’s my belief,” said Linnemann at Markus Lanz. At the same time, the CDU advocates private pension insurance for everyone, with people on low incomes being supported by the state.