June 1, 2003	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 29, 1424

BERLIN, May 31: German Economy Minister Wolfgang Clement said on Friday he remained opposed to any further tax increases and said government plans to boost economic growth would win widespread SPD party backing on Sunday.

Clement also said that he was optimistic the uncertainty that has plagued the government in recent weeks will soon disappear once Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder’s economic reform programme wins what he expects will be emphatic support at a SPD congress on Sunday.

Discussions about tax increases are poison for the economy, Clement said in an interview with ARD television, rejecting any talk of tax increases on top of the already approved hike on tobacco tax to fill budget holes.—Reuters