Germany's Left Party wants to halve billionaires' wealth
Germany's Left Party wants to halve billionaires' wealth
The Left Party says "there shouldn't be any billionaires." With Germany gearing up for an election, the far-left force has launched a new tax plan — though it will most likely never get a chance to implement it.
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Yeah, but it not unlikely that "Die Linke" wont get into Parliament because of the "5% Barrier"(A Mechanism that prevents parties from entering the German Parliament, if they are below 5% total votes. There are some complicated exceptions, but basicly this is it). Furthermore many Parties dont want to form a coalation with them and this could be against german constitution ... So this is very unlikely to happen.
They are almost certain to enter because they'll get three or more direct seats. Which isn't complicated at all. Heck there's plenty of CDU voters who'd vote for Gysi. It also doesn't look too bad when it comes to taking the 5% hurdle directly.
Of course, getting into parliament is not the same as getting into government, that would require a miracle.
Yeah, Well see :X
it's called Agenda Setting.
Especially because its quite complicated or impossible (imho) to a enact a law that does exactly what they promise by not breaking the constitution: Its just populism and a lie
You can't say it'd be against the constituion. That is debatable (and debated, see e.g. Wolfgang Abendroth).
The interpretation of the constitution is subject to powerdynamics as well. And it's the only smart way to design a constitution if it's meant to be the everstanding stable foundation of a society. .. cause you know, those tend to change
No I say a law thats works as promised would be (imho) against the constitution
Honest question: why do you think it would be unconstitutional?
First of all, lets make one thing clear. Im very fond for the idea of cutting the wealth of the rich for the community. I just dont like the wording in this campaign. Imho it would be much more to convincing to be honest and transparent. Or by speaking less concrete like "tax the rich"
And furthermore: This kinda explainations is not that easy, especially in a foreign language.
Ok, lets try to think this through.
Billionaires usually dont have most of theire money as private wealth. As far as im rember, most of the German Billionaires are "Mittelständler", part of old bussiness-Families or are shareholder as part of their bussines. Sure, they have often have a similar power over their wealth as private owner, but its not the same. And furthermore if they have a lot of "private wealth", they hide it somewhere like, foundations(?, Stiftungen), SubCompanies or oversea.
So we have to cut non-private-Wealth.
Art. 14 wont help much there, because you have compensate to them and imho its hard to proof the weight of the greater needs in the "Güterabwägung" (balancing of the interests?). To see how complicated this kinda stuff is, take a look at the "Deutsche Wohnen enteignen"-campaign and the outcome by now.
So the more suitable way to achieve this goal would be taxes and removing tax-holes. But how do you want to tax only billionairs? Especially when they are "companies", "foundations" etc? Especially without collateral-Damages? Or breaking fundamental rules like the equal treatment principle(?) Besides: even if you finde a possible way, you would be facing a lot of political power in an unfair fight against the billionairs. And because of all the lawsuits it will be taking a long time to get through. And if you would have achieved you goal in the long run, the money will long be gone. Somewhere "far" away.
Its just a short take on this problem, but as a young father, my freetime is limited :>