A total of 16 motions concerned with budgetary issues were up for vote. CSV Chairwoman Martine Hansen put forward a proposal on economic sustainability, which was forwarded to the respective Chamber commission. Another CSV motion, focused on the compensation of lack of access to public transport, was dismissed. The conservative party proposed a final motion on the introduction of a wealth tax within less than a year's time, which also lacked the necessary number of votes. François Benoy (The Greens) commented that his party welcomed the initiative, but claimed that the timeline for doing so was unrealistic.
ADR put forward several motions, none of which were passed. Minister of Finance Pierre Gramegna (DP) noted that the prosposed introduction of a transactional tax on OECD level is already part of the coalition agreement. President of the Family Commission Max Hahn (DP) explained that similarly, the proposed index for child benefits is already included in the 2021 planning.
The Pirate Party proposed a motion on reorganising tax regulations for home-office hours, which was forwarded to the respective Chamber commission. The party proposed two further motions on the transparency of government websites, which were both passed.
The Left created a number of motions focused on tax issues, without receiving the necessary votes in any of them. Many opposition parties thus criticised the majority for their lack of interest in their proposals.
On Thursday afternoon, MPs will discuss the planned coronavirus relief packages for the sectors most affected by the economic repercussions of the pandemic. New aids are planned for the Horesca sector, event management, tourism, and the cultural sector. Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees will get a 90% reimbursement for their losses, larger businesses up to 70%. Further support is being discussed in the domain of taxes. A further vote will take place on the compensation of the elevated minimum wage from 1 January 2021 on.
When it comes to the 3%-tax-rate on alcohol, no agreement between Horesca representatives and the government has yet been found. Debates around the issue will thus continue.
