{
  "id": 9679113,
  "title": "After the state elections: Government leaders Voigt and Rhein warn against tax increases",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/nach-den-landtagswahlen-regierungschefs-voigt-und-rhein-warnen-vor",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-25T02:00:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/nach-den-landtagswahlen-regierungschefs-voigt-und-rhein-warnen-vor-steuererhoehungen/100257302.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Thuringia's and Hesse's CDU prime ministers, Mario Voigt and Boris Rhein, have warned the coalition government against introducing additional tax burdens, such as a planned sugar tax. Voigt stated that he is opposed to tax increases during these times, citing concerns about the affordability of life for citizens. Rhein also expressed his opposition to tax hikes, stating that they would lead to decreased trust in politics. The planned sugar tax, as well as increases to tobacco, sparkling wine, and alcohol taxes, aim to generate more revenue for the government in the coming years. Voigt has called for a change in course for the CDU, emphasizing the need for a new programmatic approach and discussing the possibility of Friedrich Merz remaining as Chancellor until 2029.",
  "summary": "The two CDU politicians reject the black-red plans to introduce a sugar tax. And that's not the only change in direction that Thuringia's Prime Minister is calling for after the election defeats.",
  "key_points": [],
  "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."
}