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The far-right Alternative for Germany’s parliamentary group again called for tax cuts, a return to nuclear power, gas supplies from Russia and the abolition of the CO2 levy at a meeting on Saturday that was closed to the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cGermany is facing its most severe economic crisis in decades,\u201d a position paper adopted by lawmakers said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSkyrocketing energy prices, an excessive tax and levy burden, rampant bureaucracy and a misguided, ideologically driven technology policy are permanently weakening Germany\u2019s competitiveness as a business location,\u201d said the paper agreed in the eastern city of Cottbus.<\/p>\n
The paper stated that an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment and global trade conflicts were putting German companies under further pressure.<\/p>\n
It also referred to the impact of the war in Iran and closure of the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n
The group reiterated calls from its tax policy proposal for an increase in the basic tax-free allowance to \u20ac15,000 ($17,580), up from the current \u20ac12,348.<\/p>\n
The lawmakers also seek an increase in the child allowance to \u20ac12,000 from the current \u20ac9,756.<\/p>\n
The AfD wants to reduce corporation tax to an \u201cinternationally competitive level,\u201d and the paper proposed this be financed initially through \u201cspending cuts, including on climate-ideological projects in the budget.\u201d<\/p>\n
More than 130 people gathered for an opposition rally opposite the hotel where the meeting was held.<\/p>\n
Many held signs calling for a constitutional review of the AfD, as similar rallies were held nationwide.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n