“Let’s not do it” – Union faction leader Frei buries plans for plastic tax

According to the chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Thorsten Frei, the black-red coalition will not implement the planned plastic tax. “We are not doing the plastic tax because it would have the wrong effect, not only economically, but also ecologically,” said the CDU politician on ZDF on Sunday evening.

The Union has expressed doubts for weeks as to whether the plastic tax can be implemented as planned. If it doesn't come, a gap of around 670 million euros will have to be closed in the final budget discussions on the 2027 federal budget, which will arise from the lack of expected tax revenue.

Previously on Sunday, the CDU finance expert Matthias Middelberg and the SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch had referred to ongoing discussions within the coalition on ARD.

“We want the whole thing to be targeted so that there is also a steering effect and of course this has to be discussed in parliament,” Miersch said on ARD. "There is a first draft and to that extent everything is not off the table. But of course we as parliamentarians have an obligation to see: Is everything going in the right direction? And so we are discussing it too."

Frei also commented on further planned tax increases by the coalition. In the area of ​​the sugar tax, it is clear that the income will be made available to the health fund and thus finance relief in the area of ​​statutory health insurance, he said.

The alcohol tax will also be increased. “That’s fine the way it’s been designed and done so far.” The tobacco tax has already been decided. The CSU had called for a later date for the increase in alcohol tax and an end to the increase in sparkling wine tax.