Following the LSAP congress on Sunday morning, Cruchten reiterated the party's position on the taxation of people who profited off the pandemic. He enlisted the financial sector and Amazon, which has broken its own revenue records since the the pandemic began, as examples. Cruchten further referred to the 2008 financial crisis as a time when banks received substantial aids, emphasising that now might be a good time to return the favour.
After Vice PM Dan Kersch advocated for a such a Covid tax on Sunday, Cruchten emphasised that this would not concern "private taxpayers". He thus reiterated Kersch's point that work should be taxed less, and capital gains more. Similarly, the top income tax rate could be increase, especially considering that it used to be higher, Cruchten stated.
Cruchten conveyed that government coalition partners DP consider the idea of raising taxes "toxic" or a "last resort measure". The LSAP politician therefore underlined that his party also does not want to raise taxes while the pandemic continues, but as soon as economic growth returns. Furthermore, new debts need to be repaid as soon as possible. Cruchten believes that the idea of taxing the winners of the pandemic will become important around the globe for the years to come.
When asked about the state of the coalition and the 2023 elections, Cruchten admitted that LSAP did not enter the agreement with as much confidence as they should have, considering they only won three fewer seats than DP. He also believes that now is not the time to hide from the idea of taxes, which other parties do, and which people will eventually recognise.
After the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party presented their vision on Sunday, a number of people on social media suggested that when it comes to taxes, it might be a good idea to start with MPs, since half of their salary is tax-free. Cruchten agreed with this take, and noted that he has advocated for a revision of the out-dated regulation since becoming an MP himself.
The LSAP president also argued that the idea of taxing politicians is a matter of transparency: "I would feel a lot more comfortable if we were honest with people and showed how much an MP ears and how much they pay in taxes."
In August last year, then-CSV party president Frank Engel caused a controversy when he advocated for a similar tax reform on his own behalf without informing his colleagues prior to his statements. After Engels' recent resignation, Dan Kersch extended his sympathies to him on Sunday. However, Cruchten clarified that there were no plans to invite Frank Engel to the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party: "I appreciate a number of things he has done, but I do not often agree with him politically and I do not think that his future is in our party."
