BERLIN, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday she expected to have to raise unemployment insurance contributions in Germany to 3 percent from 2.8 percent as a result of the economic downturn.
'It will rise again to 3.0 (percent), probably,' she said during a townhall-style forum hosted by ARD television ahead of a Sept. 27 federal election in Germany.
Employers and workers share the contributions equally.
Merkel also ruled out raising the value added tax (VAT).
(Writing by Paul Carrel; Editing by Richard Chang) Keywords: GERMANY UNEMPLOYMENT/INSURANCE (paul.carrel@reuters.com; +49 30 2888 5214; Reuters Messaging: rm://paul.carrel.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
'It will rise again to 3.0 (percent), probably,' she said during a townhall-style forum hosted by ARD television ahead of a Sept. 27 federal election in Germany.
Employers and workers share the contributions equally.
Merkel also ruled out raising the value added tax (VAT).
(Writing by Paul Carrel; Editing by Richard Chang) Keywords: GERMANY UNEMPLOYMENT/INSURANCE (paul.carrel@reuters.com; +49 30 2888 5214; Reuters Messaging: rm://paul.carrel.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.