Corporate profits during the Ukraine war are higher for some companies than during the crisis-free period. That's how many politicians see it, who now want to impose a new tax on corporations. Above all, mineral oil companies should be asked to pay as profiteers of the war.
Bremen's Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte believes that a tax on excessive corporate profits is necessary. "The mineral oil companies are currently earning themselves a golden nose," he told the "world". The fuel prices, which have risen massively in the past few weeks, can "definitely not" be explained by the development of oil prices.
According to information from the newspaper, Bovenschulte wants to have the Federal Council vote on the introduction of a so-called excess profit tax as part of a legislative initiative next Friday. "It is a question of economic reason and fairness to recover at least part of these special profits in order to use them to finance the necessary relief packages."
The discussion about a tax on corporate profits, which would probably have been lower in non-crisis times, had recently gained momentum. The reason is the Ukraine war, the economic consequences of which pose problems for many companies, but also enable significantly higher profits in the armaments and energy sectors.
According to Bovenschulte's ideas, it should not be determined until the end of the year which companies should pay the additional tax. Only then would it be clear who benefited. He also doesn't rule out other sectors using the war "to push through price increases and maximize their own profits."
Union parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn also called for the excess profits of oil companies to be taxed. The government must "take a close look" to see whether the tank discount really means a price reduction, he told the "Bild am Sonntag". Unjustified extra profits would have to be skimmed off with a tax.
