The Greens/EFA group have launched a 10-point plan for tax justice in the European Union, which will form part of its core demands for the coming legislative period in the European Parliament. The Greens/EFA Group has already been at the forefront of driving demands to combat excessive tax avoidance, tax evasion and money laundering in Europe.
Sven Giegold, member of the Greens/EFA Group in the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and in the Special committee on financial crimes, tax evasion and tax avoidance, commented: “We need to become serious in fighting tax dumping and money laundering. The next EU Commission must also put tax justice in the European Union at the top of its agenda. It is unacceptable for EU member states to lose billions every year from tax avoidance and money laundering.”
“The Greens/EFA call for a powerful cross-border financial police force to effectively combat financial crime, money laundering and VAT fraud in the EU,” he continued.
“The EU Commission must swiftly present a new action plan and increase the pressure on EU governments to stop the tax race to the bottom. German Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz must no longer allow billions to be hidden from the tax authorities. Through its blockades in the Council of EU Member States, Germany is making itself an accomplice to tax avoiders and money launderers,” he concluded.
Molly Scott Cato, member of the Greens/EFA Group in the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and in the Special committee on financial crimes, tax evasion and tax avoidance, added: “We are proud to have led on cracking down on corporate tax avoidance in this parliament. But there’s still a lot more to do to build a just and equal society.”
“Multinational corporations use their transnational structures to dodge paying their share of taxes. They are therefore able to out-compete local independent businesses who pay their taxes and fund the public services that the corporations rely on to help generate their profits. They are parasites who are not paying their way.”
“But big companies and the super-rich also enjoy tax benefits offered to them by EU Member States. Such benefits end up being paid for by ordinary citizens. EU governments must put an end to the downward spiral of tax competition,” she stressed.
