Alongside him, members of this “Good council for redistribution” spoke of “an exciting challenge”, a beautiful “exercise in democracy” based on “consensus”, while the all-expenses paid sessions were spread over six weeks. -ends from March to June in the city of Salzburg.
Donations ranging from 40,000 to 1.6 million euros
Fifty citizens were drawn to join this council. The youngest Kyrillos Gadalla, 17, said he “learned a lot, a lot” from contact with other generations, the oldest being 85 years old.
In total, 77 organizations will receive funds ranging from 40,000 euros to 1.6 million, from Attac to various think tanks, including associations for nature protection or support for the homeless.
Present in everyone’s minds but absent in front of the press on Tuesday, Marlene Engelhorn only intervened at the start of the process. “She placed her trust in us and we were completely free in our choices,” explained Angelika Taferner, another member of the Council.
The 32-year-old millionaire, descendant of the founder of the German chemical giant BASF, Friedrich Engelhorn, announced in January that she was giving up 25 million euros. Or 90% of his legacy, to denounce the “failure” of States in the face of increasingly glaring inequalities.
“I’m coming out of this dynastic ghetto of the rich”
Like hundreds of American “patriotic millionaires”, the activist founded the “Tax me now” initiative in the German-speaking world. Before taking action after the death of his grandmother in September 2022 and concocting this original solution. In a press release, she welcomed “the redistribution, in accordance with democratic values, of a large part” of her money.
“I inherited a fortune and with it power, without ever having done anything to deserve it. And the State doesn’t even want me to pay inheritance tax,” she denounced at the start of the year. Soon deprived of most of her resources, the former student of German literature must now consider employment for the first time. “I’m coming out of this dynastic ghetto of the rich,” she said, swearing that she would not regret her decision.
