Instead of basing contributions on salaries, Ms Merkel wants a flat-rate health premium for all Germans, ensuring that health-care costs no longer act as a tax on employment.

ECONOMIST: Germany's election

But Twitter will probably follow the example of other technology companies, basing its corporate headquarters in Dublin to take advantage of the tax rate (then hiring back-office staff) and setting up another branch in London where it can tap into a wider pool of folks who are highly skilled in software development.

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