The Left Party warned on Monday in Berlin against planned social reforms by the black-red federal government. Party leader Ines Schwerdtner called the work of the pension commission “highly dangerous” and spoke of a looming “pension cut program.” Specifically, the party fears higher deductions for early retirement, the end of penalty-free pensions for long-term contributors, and a further increase in the retirement age.
Jan van Aken accused the government of saving on education, care, and health. He pointed to ongoing protests across the country and called the demonstrations the right response to the government’s plans. “People are not putting up with this anymore,” van Aken said.
Both leaders called for higher taxes on high incomes and wealth. Schwerdtner advocated for higher contribution assessment ceilings and a joint pension insurance for all. Aken spoke in favor of reintroducing a wealth tax so that the wealthy contribute a larger share to financing the welfare state.
Source: www.zeit.de
