Sahra Wagenknecht’s Newsletter December 2023

No to wars and armament madness

Many people are worried about a policy that will soon be deciding on billions in arms deliveries every week, but at the same time is no longer in a position to provide adequate funding for our infrastructure, affordable housing and sufficient teaching and care staff. The  budget plan of the ‘traffic lights’ coalition includes record sums for armaments, while at the same time we are threatened with a new round of social cuts. This cannot and must not continue, because this policy is ruining our country! For this reason, I support the call of the peace movement and will speak at the rally on Saturday, November 25 at 1 p.m. in front of the Brandenburg Gate. Let’s send a strong signal together for peace and diplomacy – and against a policy that continues to supply weapons to conflict regions and thus contributes to the fact that the dying will not stop.

We need good unemployment insurance

Anyone who becomes unemployed nowadays is usually treated as a supplicant after just one year and receives a so-called citizen’s allowance – and then receives the same as someone who has never worked. I think that’s unfair. Anyone who has worked for a long time and paid into the social security system should also receive better support. In an interview with Pro Sieben, I explain what I think is wrong with the term and concept of the citizen’s income [universal basic income] and why we finally need good unemployment insurance again to protect people from falling into poverty.

Putting pressure on politicians

Given the high prices for energy and food, many people no longer know how to make ends meet. We have a really disgracefully poor infrastructure for an industrialized country. The housing shortage is getting worse and worse. There is a shortage of skilled workers in many areas because our education system is releasing too many young people without a good education. In an interview with Deutschlandfunk radio, I explain why Germany needs a new political force that puts social issues on the agenda and prevents deindustrialization and the decline of our country with a serious economic policy.

What name for the new party? 

What name is suitable for a new party that wants to stand up for economic reason and social justice, for peace and diversity of opinion? This question is currently being discussed by the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance – For Reason and Justice. I know that you also have ideas on this, as I have received a number of suggestions in recent weeks. That’s why I’m now asking you: If you have a good idea for the name of the new party, please send this suggestion by email to name@buendnis-sahra-wagenknecht.de We are looking forward to your wishes and suggestions! 

On behalf of the association, I would also like to thank everyone who has already supported us with a donation. Every euro helps us – and we continue to ask for your support.

No increase in VAT in the catering sector 

The increase in the VAT rate on food in restaurants from 7% to 19% at the end of the year is yet another attack by the traffic light coalition on small and medium-sized businesses in our country. It not only affects restaurants, which many people can no longer afford, but also every kebab stand, every snack bar, every butcher’s shop and every bakery that offers seating. However, restaurants, regardless of their type, are important for community life, they shape the townscape and are social meeting places. But instead of making policy for the general public and for small and medium-sized businesses, the traffic lights prefer to make policy for large chains and delivery services. After all, these are the ones who are profiting from the demise of many restaurants. The Covid policy and the coalition’s disastrous energy policy have already driven countless businesses to ruin. Personal destinies, jobs and apprenticeships hang on every closure, and in many villages, restaurants with decades of tradition are disappearing. I find this coalition policy shameful. It is also an attack on our towns and communities, on our quality of life and on social cohesion. Instead of increasing the VAT rate for restaurateurs next year to a rate that far exceeds that in other EU countries such as France, Spain, Belgium and Italy, the coalition must finally provide relief for energy costs and lower food prices!