German election looms: A guide to pledges on tax, housing, and climate

The CDU and the CSU are ruling out tax increases and want to ease the burden on low- and middle-income earners while the Greens are proposing an increase in the personal top tax rate

German Chancellor Angela Merkel  is stepping aside after the elections next month.

Germany’s September 26 election is fast approaching and with Angela Merkel stepping aside it’s one of the most unpredictable national votes in decades. 

The Social Democrats, whose hopes lie with current finance minister Olaf Scholz, have mounted an unexpected comeback and are vying with the conservative bloc to lead Europe’s biggest economy.