Overview

• Legislative progress on the proposed 10 percent levy has stalled amid deep divisions between key ministries.
• Economic Minister Katherina Reiche and NRW Finance Minister Marcus Optendrenk reject the tax, warning it would harm competitiveness and burden consumers.
• Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer maintains support for a “platform-soli,” arguing it would curb tech giants’ tax avoidance and fund media diversity.
• CDU parliamentary leader Jens Spahn ties any decision to the outcome of EU-US trade talks to prevent escalation and retaliatory measures.
• Government spokespeople clarify that Weimer’s draft was never agreed upon and the coalition pact only mandates an assessment, not immediate enactment.