Billionaires often pay less tax than the middle class. Not for technical reasons, but because there is a lack of political will to change this. It is a question of fairness. And a question of democracy. This trend is also clearly visible in Germany. Wealth is distributed more unevenly here than in most other countries. Society has become richer, but not more equitable.

French economist Gabriel Zucman is one of the most internationally renowned researchers on tax justice and wealth concentration. Zucman's answer is clear. He advocates a minimum tax for the ultra-rich. In his new book, “Reichensteuer. Aber richtig!”, which will be published in German in early 2026, he explains how taxation can consistently implement the principle of equality. Income tax, once a key democratic advance, would thus be perfected. Even billionaires would actually be included.

Gabriel Zucman will be presenting his new book at the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Berlin. We will then discuss with guests from academia, journalism, civil society, and politics.

We warmly welcome the following guests, among others:

• Gabriel Zucman Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, Director of the European Tax Observatory
• Julia Jirmann, Advisor on Tax Law and Tax Policy at the Tax Justice Network
• Julia Friedrichs, Journalist, Author, and Filmmaker
• Tim Klüssendorf, Member of the German Bundestag, Secretary-General of the SPD

Moderation: Sarah Ganter, Director - Sustainable Development at the Global Policy Forum Europe