Better sharing of wealth, opportunities and resources:
During the Covid-19 pandemic poor people got poorer, whilst billionaires have become richer than ever. The overall persistent high level of poverty in the EU suggests that poverty is primarily the consequence of the way society is organised and resources are allocated. Looking at daily reality we see that wealth is not fairly distributed. Tax is used to compete instead of creating a good social environment. We believe that progressive taxation is the key to a better sharing of wealth and resources.
The current situation – with persistent levels of poverty, increasing wealth, increasing inequalities and unjust taxation systems throughout Europe – must change, in order to avoid that the already high level of people at risk of poverty will increase further. The current pandemic makes us realise the importance to ‘better share wealth, opportunities and resources’. This Explainer shows what EAPN means by this.
EAPN key demands:
- European governments must reform the inheritance tax which favours the rich and wealthy.
- European governments should reform the tax systems.
- European governments should increase the levels of taxation on wealth.
- European governments should minimise taxes that are regressive on low income people.
- European governments should create a fair competition between themselves by using fair tax systems.
- In connection with the EU Green Deal, we also urge the European Union as well as its Member States to begin with the taxation of kerosine and flight tickets.
- European governments should open the door for the EU to bring forward two needed tax systems: taxing the so-called Big Tech and taxing the financial transactions on the market.
- The EU and its Member States should make sure that public spending on social protection never falls below 35% of the GDP of a country.
- Both the EU and Member States must commit to avoiding austerity.
