The German Association of Towns and Municipalities calls for taxation of online trading and a faster conversion of communal infrastructures. In this way, municipalities could better face the consequences of the corona crisis and climate change, said the chief executive of the Association of Cities and Municipalities (DStGB) Gerd Landsberg at a press conference on Tuesday in Berlin.

“This is a mammoth task.” The vaccine gives Corona hope, Landsberg continues, “but we don’t have the vaccine for climate change.” The association of municipalities demanded a product shipping tax from online retailers, which should benefit the municipalities. In addition, it would have to be possible to implement new climate infrastructures more quickly in Germany, for example.

Tax collapse of nine billion euros “We need a spirit of optimism”, said Landsberg. More culture, more greenery, more water for inner cities and town centers are needed. According to DStGB President Ralph Spiegler, the municipalities have already recorded a tax collapse of nine billion euros due to the corona crisis, although the current lockdown has not yet been taken into account.

The demand for a new tax specifically for online trading has already arisen several times in the wake of the Corona crisis. In December, for example, an initiative by the CDU caused a sensation, which brought a “package delivery” for online retailers into play. This should be used to support the stationary trade. The proposals were rejected by the German trade association, among other things, because it pits sales channels off against each other.

Green boss Robert Habeck recently campaigned for a digital tax. This would reduce the unequal treatment of brick-and-mortar retail and online retail. ( With material from the dpa ) / (axk)