What Does Social Justice Mean Today? The Jusos on Inheritance Tax, Debt, and Equal Opportunities

Debating about young people, making decisions for young people, but rarely talking to young people: Young people’s perspectives are still significantly underrepresented in parliaments and political discourse. We want to change that! What matters to young people in Germany today? Which political issues are important to them? And how can they make a difference themselves? In our three-part series, we speak with the chairs of various political youth organizations about how young people can help shape politics, what issues matter to them, and what role youth organizations play in our democracy. In the second part of our series, we speak with Philipp Türmer, national chair of the Jusos.

How fair is our society? While some people inherit vast fortunes, others struggle with rising living costs, high rents, or uncertain career prospects. At the same time, the government faces major challenges. Schools and infrastructure must be modernized, the socio-ecological transformation must be financed, and social security systems must be made sustainable for the future. But how much can and should the government spend on this, and who should pay for it?

The Jusos are calling for higher taxes on large fortunes and inheritances and fundamentally question the debt brake. Against this backdrop, we are very pleased to welcome Philipp Türmer, Federal Chair of the Jusos, on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Schwarzkopf Foundation Junges Europa.

Together with you and Philipp Türmer, we would like to discuss the following and other questions: How equitable is the distribution of wealth and opportunities in Germany? Should the inheritance tax contribute significantly more to financing the public sector—and where are the limits of such taxation? How much government debt is acceptable if it is used to finance investments in education, infrastructure, and the future of young people? Is the debt brake a necessary safeguard against excessive debt, or does it hinder urgently needed investments? How can we ensure that a person’s background does not determine the opportunities they have in life?

We look forward to your participation and ask that you RSVP by October 7, 2026, either online or via email.

Part of the discussion series: Who Will Shape Tomorrow’s Politics? A Conversation with the Political Parties’ Youth Organizations

September 29 – Henriette Held
Young, Political, Green? How the Green Youth Aims to Reach Young People
In conversation with Henriette Held, Federal Spokesperson for the Green Youth

Oct. 8 – Philipp Türmer
What Does Social Justice Mean Today? The Jusos on Inheritance Tax, Debt, and Equal Opportunities
In conversation with Philipp Türmer, Federal Chair of the Jusos

Nov. 11 – Johannes Winkel
Pensions, Reforms, Intergenerational Justice: How Much of the Future Lies with the Junge Union?
In conversation with Johannes Winkel, Federal Chair of the Junge Union and Member of the German Bundestag