Following the publication of documents from the Luxembourg leaks, S&D Group president Gianni Pittella is calling on the European Commission to take strong action against unfair tax practices. The S&D Group is requesting a special debate on this issue during the plenary session next week in Brussels.
Gianni Pittella stated:
“The Luxembourg leaks scandal unveiled today, showing big companies evading taxes through secret deals with the Luxembourg tax authorities, does not come as a surprise. Already in 2012, the S&D Group commissioned an independent report which revealed that tax evasion and tax fraud are costing European governments and taxpayers €1000 billion a year.
“The Socialists and Democrats Group will ask the European Commission to come to the European Parliament next week to explain the urgent action they intend to take in order to fight tax evasion and tax fraud.
"This type of aggressive tax planning by businesses and beggar-my-neighbour sweetheart deals reached with a few European governments is no longer acceptable. All European governments are struggling to cut their budget deficits. Many have had to slash public services and public investment, prolonging Europe's recession, and have raised taxes for ordinary citizens who cannot escape payment through the sweetheart deals offered to big business.
"As the new president of the European Commission, the credibility of Jean-Claude Juncker is on the line. He must show whose side he is on. Is he on the side of European citizens or corporate tax dodgers? He must take urgent and radical action to close Europe's tax loopholes and curb tax competition which threatens a race to the bottom in public services and an ever-growing tax burden on honest, taxpaying citizens. This is an ethical and moral question. The socialists and democrats in the European Parliament will keep fighting for more social justice."
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