{
  "id": 5369694,
  "title": "Comment: The coalition governs without consideration for the diligent ones",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/kommentar-die-koalition-regiert-ohne-rucksicht-auf-die-flei-igen",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-03T17:13:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/meinung/kommentare/kommentar-die-koalition-regiert-ohne-ruecksicht-auf-die-fleissigen/100251703.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "The German coalition government has decided to not adjust the income tax to inflation, known as \"kalte Progression\", which effectively increases taxes. The cabinet has already approved this stealthy tax hike, despite some resistance within the CDU/CSU faction. Meanwhile, new Health Minister Carsten Linnemann plans to increase the contribution assessment limit for nursing care insurance, which would require high earners to pay more in contributions. This move comes despite Linnemann's previous statements on the importance of high achievers for growth and employment. The nursing care insurance fund is expected to have a 10 billion euro shortfall next year.",
  "summary": "First of all, the finance minister doesn't even compensate for \"cold progression\". Now, the health minister apparently wants to increase the contribution assessment limit in nursing care. Is that still reasonable?",
  "key_points": [
    "Coalition governs with disregard for diligent members",
    "Finance Minister avoids compensating for \"cold progression\"",
    "Health Minister plans to increase care insurance contribution limit"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}