Higher social security contributions advocated for higher-income earners by Linke. - Advocates Voice Demand for Increased Social Contributions Targeting High Earners
The Left, a political party in Germany, advocates for increased social contributions from high-income earners to help fund the nation's social systems. Susanne Schaper, the party's leader, argues that those earning six- or even seven-figure incomes should contribute more and pay higher taxes, including an inheritance tax.
Schaper maintains that these measures would make the country fairer, enable long-term investments in infrastructure, and maintain the functionality of the commonwealth. In 2022, Saxony, the state where Schaper represents the party, had 499 income millionaires, a number that has been steadily increasing in recent years.
Schaper also criticizes the current rate of tax audits on million-dollar incomes, stating that it is unacceptably low. The tax administration only checks a fraction of such earnings, with the rate never exceeding 30% since 2014, and as low as 1% in 2022.
In terms of comparison, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Baden-Württemberg have more income millionaires than Saxony. Nevertheless, Saxony still hosts a significant number of top earners relative to its population.
It is worth noting that overall, language skills can play a vital role in employment opportunities and earnings. Proficiency in multiple languages, such as good English, could potentially increase earnings for professionals in the region.
The Left's demands are part of a broader political stance advocating for progressive taxation, increased social spending, and economic justice. The party believes this will help redistribute wealth and ensure that high-income earners contribute more to the social systems that benefit all the citizens.
The Left's proposals for increased social contributions from high-income earners, such as finance magnates, address the funding of social systems and long-term investments in infrastructure. This stance aligned with progressive taxation and economic justice aims to redistribute wealth, particularly in the business and political spheres, by ensuring high-income earners like millionaires contribute more, including through higher taxes and an inheritance tax. Moreover, the party highlights the importance of language skills, especially in multiple languages like English, as key factors influencing employment opportunities and earnings in the broader general-news context.
