Tomorrow, MDG presents its alternative state budget.
The key words for the budget are massive redistribution and a significant increase in the taxation of Norwegians on income above NOK 800,000.
– The differences in Norway are increasing and we have to do something about it. I am particularly concerned about children growing up in poverty. We spend 1.3 billion more on child benefits, which amounts to NOK 660 per month for single parents. Growing up in poverty creates big problems for the rest of your life, says Berg.
Potency bonuses
MDG also wants to “plug the holes in society’s safety net,” including through expanded free legal aid, $900 million in increased housing benefits, and another $700 million for mental health.
– We are strengthening the safety net for all of us, concludes Berg.
In addition, the party will give an extra NOK 4,000 to single minimum pensioners.
– And we’re proposing an electricity bonus that will give a family of four NOK 40,000 paid annually in cash, he says.
Tax shock?
And then there was the issue of coverage: Green MDGs can appear in red in their alternative budget. The party collects NOK 15 billion from those with incomes of NOK 800,000 or more.
– The budget is no longer red, it’s greener, says Berg.
– 15 billion. It’s what’s called a “tax shock” in the Dagbladet, isn’t it?
– No, this is not a fiscal shock. But there is tougher taxation on those who can afford it. Those who struggle will have more to do with our scheme. We need to redeploy more. The MDG also grants tax breaks to Norwegians with an income of less than NOK 800,000, says Berg.
Tax evasion and voter flight
Several wealthy Norwegians have packed up and moved to Switzerland. With MDG’s plan, maybe even more people would jump on the plane. Lan Marie Berg takes it with overwhelming calm.
– Zero problem, we have also invested several hundred million to continue the work of preventing tax evasion, he says.
– MDG struggled a bit with the measurements, while Rødt is doing well. Is it a coincidence that you are now redistributing so much?
– We’ve had a reallocation in our alternative budgets for many years. We want solidarity with people from other countries and solidarity with people from our own country, says Berg.
– Have you been good enough at communicating this in recent years?
– It is fundamentally green for us to contribute to fair distribution. We would have expected much more redistribution from the ruling Labor Party, given their history.
