Vice PM Dan Kersch used the occasion to draw attention to the people that managed to profit from the pandemic. He conveyed that he and his party believe that these individuals should eventually have to pay a corona tax. Kersch underlined that under no circumstances should younger generations have to make up for the losses.
The socialist party acknowledged that given the current financial circumstances, the planned tax reform cannot be executed. Nevertheless, LSAP advocates that in cases of unchanged revenues, a tax relief on work be implemented and paired with a higher taxation of capital gains and use of resources. At the same time, the general wage tax should be significantly reduced, while specific forms of income need to be re-evaluated. In that regard, Minister Kersch highlighted salaries based on rents, real estate sales, share profits, as well as dividends.
The party's congress was further marked by a sense of unity, during which it was unanimously decided to extend all existing mandates for another year.
Members also reacted to the recent turmoil at former coalition partner CSV, the Christian Social People's Party. Minister Kersch showed support for former party president Frank Engel, who resigned on Friday. The LSAP politician emphasised that parts of CSV are openly "flirting" with the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR), and that he believes a splitting of the party is not inconceivable.
LSAP made it clear that for them, cooperating with a party that gives into right-wing, neoliberal, reactionary, and nationalist powers is off the table. While other parties continue to lead internal fights, the socialists prefer to focus on the true enemy; namely the pandemic.
