Economy

German SPD leader says State complicit in multi-billion tax avoidance

Martin Schulz takes aim at US tech giants and Republic

SPD leader Martin Schulz also gives the thumbs up to a new European finance minister to combat tax evasion. Photograph: Reuters

Thu Dec 7 2017 - 13:13

The leader of Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) took aim at the Republic and criticised US technology firms Apple, Facebook and Google on Thursday, saying a strong Europe was needed to make sure they stick to the rules.

Martin Schulz, who hopes to persuade his party to approve talks with German chancellor Angela Merkel on forming a new coalition, told a congress of his SPD party that Ireland was complicit in allowing companies such as Apple to avoid billions of euros in tax.

He also called for the creation of a European finance minister, who should fight tax evasion by reining in the race to the bottom in tax policy among member states. A similar call surfaced in a European Commission reform agenda on Wednesday.

Strong Europe

“Only a strong Europe can force platform giants like Facebook and Google to respect our rules and basic rights,” he said.

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The SPD was critical of the Republic’s role in the international taxation system last month too, voting against an Irish request to restructure crisis-era loans to save €150 million in interest repayments.

– Reuters

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