Klingbeil Aims to Draw on High Earners for Relief
Berlin, May 2, 2026 – Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) is set to unveil plans in the coming weeks for tax relief targeting small and middle incomes. To finance these measures, he proposes drawing contributions from top earners. The Vice-Chancellor and SPD leader conveyed this intention to the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” (Saturday edition).
“I will present my reform concept in the coming weeks; we are working on it with high priority,” Klingbeil stated. He emphasized that those who “keep the shop running every day” must ultimately “have more in their pockets.”
Financing Realistic Relief
Klingbeil stressed that this relief must be financed realistically. He called for top earners with six-figure salaries to contribute their share to this effort.
The SPD leader also defended the black-red coalition against criticism, asserting that they are working diligently to overcome the reform backlog of the past 20 years. He remarked that Germany had been a blocked country for too long.
Klingbeil highlighted that the government is initiating massive investments in infrastructure and defense, modernizing social systems, and reforming the tax system. He noted that these tasks are immense, and while debates are inevitable, the past week has demonstrated progress.
