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CDU-CSU: 'Performance and security'
From CNN.de
BERLIN, Germany (CNN) -- The Christian Democratic Union and its sister party, the Christian Social Union, are entering the September 22 elections with a shared programme under the banner, "Performance and security -- Time for actions."
Bavarian leader Edmund Stoiber is running for chancellor under the CDU-CSU banner against incumbent Gerhard Schroeder of the Social Democratic Party.
Calling Schroeder a "chancellor of broken promises," the CDU-CSU programme proposes what it calls a course of careful renewal.
The platform calls for no tax increases, a reduction of the trade tax allowance and the consideration of childcare costs in calculating taxes. Here are the main points of the platform:
Foreign policy
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Distinguish areas of responsibility among communities, regions, nations and the European Union
European tasks must be financed in a more just way
Europe should become a "partner capable of responsibilities" in relation to the United States
Maintain the strength of the German armed forces at 300,000 men and allow its use inside Germany in the fight against terror
Economy
Reduce the maximum tax rate from 48 percent to below 40 percent
Reduce the entry tax rate from 19.9 percent to 15 percent
Complete tax reform by 2006
Reduce employees' and employers' social security contributions from 41.5 percent of gross wages to less than 40 percent
Create more employment opportunities in the low-income sector
Jobs with a monthly income up to 400 euros should be taxed at the single rate of 20 percent, with no social contributions
Liberalise regulations for part-time jobs
Education
Allow public universities to limit admissions
Institute quality controls to evaluate teacher performance
Family
Gradually exchange the current "money for children and upbringing" scheme, under which the state gives parents money to help raise their children, with a new "money for the family" plan.
In the final step, for which a date has not been set, families with children will receive 600 euros a month for each child younger than 3 years, and 300 euros a month for each child from age 3 to 18.
From age 18 on, the state shall pay 150 euros for children still in training.
Health
Increase the ability of insured persons to choose the extent of their medical coverage
Change the health insurance scheme so that it doesn't have to pay for treatments that aren't medically necessary.
Crime
Tighten gun-control laws and take tougher actions against offenders and extremists
Pension
Reform the pension system and eliminate the retirement age, which is now 65.
Source: CDU, CSU
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