Overview

• Alexander Dobrindt of the CSU firmly dismissed SPD's push to raise taxes on high earners, calling the proposals 'wishful thinking.'
• The SPD seeks to increase the top income tax rate to 47% for incomes above €83,600 and raise the wealth tax to 49%.
• A significant investment package has been agreed upon by both parties, marking one of the few points of consensus in the negotiations.
• Dobrindt reiterated the Union's commitment to stricter migration policies, including border rejections and advocating for neighboring countries to adopt similar measures.
• The ongoing coalition negotiations highlight deep ideological divisions, complicating efforts to form a stable government after February's Bundestag election.