The S&D Group made the following statement concerning the latest developments of the Luxleaks inquiry in the European Parliament.
Gianni Pittella, S&D Group president, said:
"The number of signatures needed to set up an inquiry committee on Luxleaks has been reached. We take note of it. However, we are still convinced that a legislative report, issued by the economic affairs committee, will be the best way to force the Commission to act in order to tackle the unfair tax competition between member states.
"An inquiry committee can only look at past law-breaking. We want to prevent possible new Luxleaks cases in the future. Therefore, we are confident that the inquiry committee will work cooperatively with the economic affairs committee".
Elisa Ferreira, S&D Group spokesperson on economic and monetary affairs, added:
"The Socialists and Democrats were at the forefront in the fight against tax fraud, tax avoidance and tax evasion http://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/taxjustice
"We commissioned a special report in 2012 which highlighted that tax fraud, tax evasion and tax avoidance cost European Union member states € 1 trillion each year. We do not want the inquiry to slow down the actions that must be taken to eradicate unfair tax practices".
