Czech debate over wealth tax targeting super‑rich estates

Economist Gabriel Zucman explains why earlier attempts to tax the largest fortunes in Western societies have failed, noting that social‑democratic governments focused on domestic issues and that international tax competition has increased inequality. He points to the 2021 agreement of 130 countries on a 15% minimum corporate tax as the only successful global tax measure.

In the Czech Republic, commentator Štěpán Cháb cites a proposal to impose a 90% inheritance tax on the estate of the late billionaire Petr Kellner. The calculation suggests the state could collect about 260 billion CZK, enough to fund a 130% increase in teachers' average wages for roughly 11 years. Critics warn that such a levy would dismantle the PPF Group, which controls assets such as CETIN, O2 Czech Republic, TV Nova and other major companies, potentially harming the national economy.