Berlin mayor breaks ranks, demands Germany revive wealth tax

A bold U-turn from the CDU shakes Germany's tax policy. Could this controversial move redefine fairness—or spark a political backlash?

, and Administrator

2026 May 12 . 8:02 PM

1 min read

The image shows an open book with handwriting on it, which is likely a document from the German... — The image shows an open book with handwriting on it, which is likely a document from the German Federal Republic of Germany. The text on the paper is likely related to the document, and there are watermarks at the bottom of the image.

Berlin mayor breaks ranks, demands Germany revive wealth tax

Berlin’s governing mayor, Kai Wegner, has called for the reintroduction of a wealth tax in Germany. The CDU politician broke from his party’s long-standing opposition by labelling the measure unavoidable. His proposal aims to ensure the wealthy contribute more under the principle of solidarity. The wealth tax was last collected in 1997, after the Federal Constitutional Court ruled the existing calculation method unconstitutional. Since then, the SPD has repeatedly pushed for its return. Wegner now argues that Germany needs a broader tax reform package, including subsidy cuts and higher contributions from top earners.

Revenue from the tax would go directly to the states, as outlined in Article 106 of Germany’s Basic Law. Wegner stressed that any reform must provide real relief for citizens, pointing to soaring food prices as a key concern. He also warned against overburdening skilled workers or small and medium-sized businesses.

The mayor made clear that hard work should still be rewarded. His focus remains on targeting the truly wealthy rather than broadening the tax base indiscriminately. Wegner’s shift marks a departure from the CDU’s traditional stance on wealth taxation. If implemented, the policy would redirect funds to state budgets while addressing economic pressures on households. The debate over its design and impact is now set to intensify.