Green Chief Opposes Merz Tax Reforms

The Green Party is against the proposed alternative tax reforms of Friedrich Merz, the deputy chairman of the Christian Democratic Union parliamentary group, according to a statement by Angelika Beer, the party head of the Greens. Beer spoke out against Merz’ plan at a meeting of party leaders and members in Berlin on Monday, saying his tax proposals were “neither social nor fair.” Beer’s comments are in direct opposition to comments made by Green Party finance expert, Christine Scheel, who over the weekend applauded Merz’ attempt to reform the tax structure. Merz has proposed a reduction in the system to just three tax categories of 12, 24 and 36 percent of income with the highest tax bracket applying to income over €40,000 (around $46,000) a year.