Union parliamentary group leader rejects plastic tax

The Union and the SPD actually wanted to use a tax to encourage companies to reduce their consumption of plastic. But now the chairman of the Union parliamentary group, Thorsten Frei, has rejected a possible plastic tax. “We are not doing the plastic tax because it would have a wrong, not only economic, but also ecological effect,” said the CDU politician on ZDF.

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.

Miersch: First draft that is “not off the table” yet

The SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch was somewhat more cautious. He referred to ongoing discussions in the coalition. “There is a first draft and to that extent everything is not off the table,” said Miersch. "But of course we as parliamentarians have an obligation to see whether everything is going in the right direction and to that extent we discuss it." CDU financial expert Matthias Middelberg made a similar statement.

It was planned that from July 2027, 550 euros would be due for every ton of plastic in packaging. This emerged from a draft law that is based on a decision by the federal government in July. This means that plastic packaging could have become more expensive for companies from next year.

Sugar and alcohol tax plans

Frei also commented on the coalition's further tax increase plans. When it comes to the sugar tax, it is clear that the income will be made available to the health fund and thus finance relief for 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.