As the German general election in February 2025 approaches, major parties are unveiling their campaign platforms, focusing on economic issues such as income, taxes, and jobs.
German Election 2025: Parties Launch Their Campaigns
The German general election in February 2025 has officially kicked off, with the country’s major parties presenting their campaign platforms. The focus of these platforms is on economic issues such as income, taxes, and jobs.
CDU/CSU: Lower Taxes and Stop Illegal Migration
The center-right bloc of Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party Christian Social Union (CSU) has unveiled an election program that promises to lower taxes and stop illegal migration. The CDU/CSU wants to reduce income tax and gradually lower taxes for companies to 25%. They also plan to encourage those who want to continue working beyond retirement age of 67, allowing them to earn up to €2,000 ($2,100) per month tax-free on top of their pension.
However, the bold ideas of CDU chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz will cost billions of euros and may be difficult to implement if the CDU/CSU refuses to ease the “debt brake.” Enshrined in Germany‘s constitution, the debt brake limits the government’s ability to borrow money and could hinder the implementation of the CDU/CSU’s economic plans.
Other Parties’ Proposals
The other parties have also presented their campaign platforms. The Green Party wants to reform the debt brake, introduce subsidies for electric cars, and propose a new “citizens’ fund” to secure pensions. They also plan to tax billionaires and use the revenue generated from this measure to invest in education.
The Free Democratic Party (FDP) is calling for a fundamentally different economic policy, including the introduction of a share-based pension system. The FDP’s leader, Christian Lindner, wants to ease the tax burden on companies with high energy prices and reduce bureaucracy.
The Left Party wants to introduce higher taxes for the wealthy, including an inheritance tax of 60% for those with an inheritance of €3 million or more. They also plan to raise the minimum wage to €15 and pensions to 53% (from currently 48%) of the recipient’s net income.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) wants Germany to leave the EU and abolish the euro. They deny the existence of man-made climate change and advocate setting up new coal-fired power plants and nuclear power stations, as well as resuming the import of Russian natural gas.
Key Issues in the Election
The election will focus on several key issues, including economic policies, migration, and climate change. The parties’ proposals have sparked intense debate, with some arguing that they are too radical or unrealistic. As the campaign heats up, it remains to be seen which party’s platform will resonate most with German voters.
In the coming weeks, the parties will vote on their draft manifestos at special party conferences. This will be followed by a short and certainly heated campaign until the election on February 23.
