German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has sparked controversy with remarks made in a social media video promoting the government’s new action plan against tax fraud.
In the clip, Klingbeil suggested that individuals found guilty of tax evasion would lose their luxury assets, specifically mentioning Rolex watches and Porsche cars.
The comments have drawn sharp criticism from both political opponents and business associations, who argue that the rhetoric undermines the government’s credibility and risks alienating potential investors.
The backlash comes as the federal government, led by Klingbeil and Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig, formally presented a comprehensive strategy to combat tax fraud in Berlin.
The plan aims to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and increase penalties for corporate and individual tax evasion.
However, the minister’s choice of illustrative examples in the viral video has overshadowed the policy details, with critics labeling the approach as populist and counterproductive to economic confidence.