According to a confidential paper from the German Ministry of Finance’s management, the ministry rejects the introduction of a digital tax for companies like Google and Apple. According to the BILD newspaper, the “demonisation of large digital companies” is deemed “not effective” in the paper. MEP Sven Giegold, financial and economic policy spokesperson of […]
Pan-European Pension Product: EU-Parliament strengthens sustainability and consumer protection
This Monday evening, the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON) adopted a draft regulation to introduce a pan-European pension product (short: PEPP) with a majority of Christian Democrats (EPP), Social Democrats (S&D), Liberals (ALDE) and Greens, among others. This pension product with uniform quality standards throughout Europe will be offered by private actors […]
Join in! For more transparency in EU legislation
Sir or Madam, dear friends, In March, the European Court has ruled for much more transparency in EU legislation. Yesterday, President Antonio Tajani (Forza Italia) replied to me that he did not want to take advantage of these opportunities. To convince him and to use the full potential of the new judgment for more transparency, […]
Financial and tax crimes: Parliament mission to Washington
Dear journalists and colleagues, Coming Monday to Wednesday I will be participating in an official mission of the European Parliament in order to discuss the fight against money laundering, tax crimes and aggressive tax avoidance in Washington DC. The members of the Parliament’s committee on financial crimes, tax evasion and tax avoidance will meet […]
Transparency international proves European Parliament’s ethics system is broken
Today, a report by Transparency International EU on the outside activities of MEPs shows that up to 104 MEPs have earned more than €100,000 each over the last four years on top of their salaries as full-time MEPs. Three MEPs currently engage in paid activities with companies listed as lobby organisations on the EU Transparency […]
New Directive enters into force: EU raises hurdles for money launderers
Today, 9 July 2018, the 5th EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive enters into force. Member States now have until 10 January 2020 to render their national company registers public. All citizens will then be able to see which beneficiaries are behind which companies. By 10 March 2021, national business registers are to be interconnected so that […]