Swoboda: „Financial transaction tax one step closer to reality“

The European Parliament today gave its green light to allowing 11 member states* to introduce a financial transaction tax (FTT).

„The financial transaction tax is one step closer to becoming a reality“, said S&D Group leader Hannes Swoboda following the outcome of the vote.

„Over the last two years the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament have taken the lead on pushing for this tax at an EU level. We are now ready and eager to work on a specific proposal from the European Commission.

„We urged the EU finances ministers to approve this enhanced cooperation as quickly as possible“.

„The fact that only some member states will participate should not lead the Commission to water down its original proposal“, warned S&D Euro MP and rapporteur for the European Parliament, Anni Podimata. „The tax should cover as many transactions as possible.“

„An FTT should be seen as the financial markets‘ contribution to repairing the damage caused by the crisis. It will discourage the most speculative and risky transactions and bring the financial sector back to its original task, the financing of the real economy. With the revenues generated, the tax will help the countries involved to reduce their debts and deficits.

„At the same time, it will shift the burden from EU citizens to the financial sector“, she concluded.