The majority of the opposition said they largely welcomed the changes to the tax scale announced this week, stating it is not the government’s business to determine a household’s composition.
However, the LSAP, the Greens, and Pirates told RTL that replacing the current system, as well as other amendments to child benefit, for example, is likely to cost over a billion euros annually, without full counter-financing.
Green MP Sam Tanson suggested the changes could reach 1.4 billion euros a year.
She was joined by LSAP party leader Taina Bofferding in criticising the continued inequality in the tax scale, even with the reforms. Bofferding pointed out that when the CSV’s Gilles Roth was in opposition, he advocated for an increase in the top tax rate. Tanson said that people earning over €200,000 a year would have around €5,000 in tax relief under the new scale.
The ADR expressed full opposition to the reforms. Leader Fred Keup said the plans went too far, even if some elements were positive.
“This is a family-oriented social reform for our country, in essence. It’s about more than just taxes. We will advocate for families to ensure the family is preserved. Solidarity and family form the core of our society. We can’t live in a society which supports only those who put their children in childcare and go to work. We want justice for families where a parent stays at home to look after the children. They also need to benefit,” Keup told RTL.
Finance minister Gilles Roth was questioned on this criticism and how the CSV’s conservative wing has reacted to the reform, to which he responded: “The Prime Minister has often said that the CSV has no wings. We are the people’s party. These reforms were discussed within the party and by various committees which approved the changes, above all highlighting the progressive element that takes into account the realities of modern life, above all taking into account the child factor, and offering relief to the working middle class. This was in our election manifesto. It was included in the government agreement under Luc Frieden’s guidance, so this is what we are doing.”
When asked why the CSV is abolishing the tax benefits of marriage, MP Diane Adehm responded that people marry for love and not for taxes.
