PARTEIATLAS

An independent field guide to Germany’s political parties

Federal politics2025 election edition

Issue deep dive

Economy & tax

Parties differ over how much the state should invest, regulate and redistribute, and whether growth should be driven mainly by public programmes or lower taxes and private investment.

Where the parties stand

Compare a smaller selection →

CDU

Christian Democratic Union · centre-right · Christian-democratic / conservative / market-oriented

Party profile

Supply-side. Lower company tax, Soli relief, deregulation.

Manifesto and profile sources: [6]

Related manifesto details

  • Economy: lower business taxation toward a maximum 25%, remove the remaining solidarity surcharge, reduce bureaucracy and make overtime supplements tax-free.

CSU

Christian Social Union in Bavaria · centre-right / conservative · Bavaria-only sister party of CDU

Party profile

Same Union programme; stronger Bavaria/SME emphasis.

Manifesto and profile sources: [6][41]

SPD

Social Democratic Party · centre-left · social democratic

Party profile

Investment + redistribution. Germany Fund, relief lower/middle incomes, tax very wealthy more.

Manifesto and profile sources: [10]

Related manifesto details

  • Work & distribution: €15 minimum wage goal, tax relief for lower/middle incomes, higher taxation of the richest 5% including a wealth-tax approach.

Greens

Bündnis 90/Die Grünen · centre-left / progressive · green politics

Party profile

Green industrial policy. Public investment and transformation funds.

Manifesto and profile sources: [13]

Related manifesto details

  • Economy: a Germany Fund for infrastructure and industrial transformation; modernise the debt brake to permit more future investment.

AfD

Alternative für Deutschland · right-populist / nationalist; significant far-right currents

Party profile

Low-tax nationalist mix. Cut major taxes, debt brake; protectionist/national-interest elements.

Manifesto and profile sources: [16]

Related manifesto details

  • Economy & welfare: large tax cuts including ending the solidarity surcharge and inheritance tax; maintain the debt brake; stronger work obligations for long-term basic-income recipients; simultaneously expand some family/pension benefits.

Die Linke

The Left · left / democratic-socialist

Party profile

Redistributive. Wealth taxes, public ownership, stronger regulation.

Manifesto and profile sources: [21]

Related manifesto details

  • Distribution: wealth/millionaire taxes, tougher inheritance taxation, substantial relief for low and middle incomes.

FDP

Free Democratic Party · liberal / market-liberal

Party profile

Market liberal. Tax cuts, fewer subsidies, privatisation/competition.

Manifesto and profile sources: [24]

Related manifesto details

  • Economy: broad tax and contribution cuts, fewer subsidies, deregulation and stronger private investment.

BSW

Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht – Vernunft und Gerechtigkeit · economically left + socio-culturally conservative

Party profile

Interventionist. Public infrastructure, anti-monopoly, stronger welfare and industrial protection.

Manifesto and profile sources: [27]

Related manifesto details

  • Economy: more state investment and industrial protection, action against dominant corporations, opposition to privatisation in health/housing and lower energy costs.

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