More Europe on migration? Then support the FTT

Malta rightly expects Europe to share the burden on immigration. But is Malta ready to apply the same principle of responsibility sharing to taxation?

Joseph Muscat
Joseph Muscat

In their 'Alternative Vision for Europe', the European Socialists promise that they "will fight to bring in common company tax rules to simplify the tax law jungle, cut the scope for tax avoidance by multinationals and prevent erosion of the tax base. With just one set of rules throughout the EU, even if tax rates differ, it will be easier for businesses but harder for tax cheats. Another priority will be to get tough on tax havens."

The European Socialists also refer to the "S&D Group's tough stance on the financial transaction tax" which is described as a "vital way to curb the excesses of financial institutions, ensure they pay their fair share of tax and ease the tax burden on the public".

Moreover German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and the Social Democrats (SPD) agreed in a second round of coalition talks  to push for a financial transactions tax in Europe if they manage to form a new government.

I wonder how our peculiar brand of progressives will react to the efforts of their continental comrades to harmonise taxation in Europe.

So far Malta has been adamantly opposed to a tax on financial transactions. It is one issue where consensus exists between PN and PL. When in Opposition, Labour leader Joseph Muscat invoked the national interest to oppose the harmonisation of taxes in the European Union. In December 2011 he reiterated his disagreement, saying decisions on the eurozone crisis should be based on national interest and safeguarding the Euro. "Tax should be decided by the individual member state. No one should order us what to do. It is the bases of sovereignty and democracy ... a basic principle which we must never give up. We will not agree to it."

Muscat also said the international community must receive the message that a change in Malta's leadership would mean a transition to a stronger leadership which safeguards national interest, and understands European fiscal policies.

Nothing could contrast more with the position of the European Socialists.

Moreover Labour's insistence on tax sovereignty would contrast completely with its constant rants against the EU's failure to treat immigration as a collective responsibility. I find this discourse incongruous with Malta's opposition to a tax on financial transactions. For we cannot expect "federalism" on immigration and a diluted Union when it comes to fiscal matters.  

Or are we in favour of more Europe on immigration, and in favour of less Europe on anything else?

I wonder how fellow Europeans feel when they hear that Malta is going to sell citizenship to give crony capitalists, including people facing criminal charges deemed to be 'politically motivated' by our government, a gateway into Europe.

In reality what we will be selling is an EU passport. I wonder how socialist comrades Martin Schultz and Hannes Swodoba feel about this ingenious way of making financial capital of EU membership by the same likes who oppose a tax on financial transactions and who some time ago opposed membership?

 

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So we should say YES SIR and we will be GOOD BOYS, to whatever the EU, the European Socialists, or whoever. It could even be the Pope. Is this the love you have for your homeland, back to when, what the HAKKIM says is law. Or basta you lick the PN's ass and their foreigner first tendencies. Your ranting makes me through up. Literarily.
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James every time I think you have hit rock bottom with your warped opinions on illegal immigration, you reach over for another shovel and successfully start digging a deeper hole where you can descend in shame. By what logic and thankfully not representative of Malta Today’s media stand on immigration, can you compare illegal immigration with financial taxes? One has the moral and humanitarian side of decent consideration while the other is a simple exercise of greed and abuse to camouflage the irresponsible management of investors’ assets. Maybe in your failed mission to be seen by your readers as a good Samaritan, you have now immersed yourself into that Shylock character.
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Swinging this way/that way is being clever, James. Would you rather have Malta attract a few (say a thousand) potentially high spenders and have them pay for the pleasure; or have another DASTARDLY Mistra-like development? Let us, please, look further from the tip of our noses, and realise that in order to stop the development plague we need other invisible exports, which would do far less harm to the national geographical landscape.
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Malta is opposing the introduction of a tax on financial transactions for the same reason Germany would oppose a new tax on the manufacture of cars. Your support for the uncontrolled invasion of Malta by illegal and mainly economic immigrants knows no limits.
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If Brussels implements mandatory burden sharing then we will thank them and we will promise to consider FFT. Malta has contributing in bailing out Greece and providing a safe haven to expats escaping the Libyan Arabic Spring. All we got was a simple thanks and some consideration regarding the immigrant issue which lead us to this point. Its only fair we start being more 'European'.
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To each, his own James, except when one is a lackey! Mighty America says it has interests: not friends! Tiny Malta should have friends not interests? The Us spied on merkel and the rest and everything was forgotten! Norman Vella had his mobile and tablet confiscated for a couple of hours and there was instant hulabaloo, and Norman Vella became our Jan Palach! Lol!
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So what James ? This proves that the PL government always puts the interest of Malta and the Maltese people BEFORE any other consideraion, even if this means the other socialist parties in Europe !!!
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John Mifsud
The PN administration, quite rightly, also opposed the FTT, which if adopted by Malta may destroy the Island's attractiveness as a financial services centre. This is an 'enhanced cooperation' measure and Malta is excellent company, with the UK, Sweden, Luxembourg, etc. James Debono needs to shed his ideological blinkers.
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Mauro Miceli
comparing taxation to the issues relating to migration is like comparing the proverbial apples to oranges. An article that at best is a load of nonsense.