Qafas aktar b’saħħtu u aktar trasparenti għall-kompetizzjoni fiskali

Alfred Sant esprima l-appoġġ sħiħ tiegħu għall-objettiv li titrawwem it-trasparenza u l-integrità fl-isfera pubblika. Madanakollu, fil-vot tiegħu huwa astjena għax ma qabilx mal-introduzzjoni ta’ rata minima ta’ taxxa u t-tmiem tal-unanimità fi ħdan l-Istati Membri Ewropej dwar kwistjonijiet ta’ taxxa. “Ma naqbilx ma’ dan peress li nemmen f’qafas b’saħħtu u trasparenti għall-kompetizzjoni fiskali, li jqis l-attribwiti speċifiċi ta’ kull pajjiż.” Huwa stqarr.

Ir-riżoluzzjoni tal-Pandora Papers appellat biex jinbdew inkjesti rigorużi dwar l-imġiba illeċita kollha mikxufa mill-Pandora Papers fost in-nazzjonijiet Ewropej. Ir-riżoluzzjoni ġiet adottata b’578 vot favur, 28 kontra u 79 astensjoni. Il-Pandora Papers jikkonsistu fi 11.9 miljun dokument sigriet li ġew esposti għall-pubbliku, dawn kixfu kontijiet offshore sigrieti li ġew skoperti mill-ICIJ.

L-Ewroparlamentari Laburista Alfred Sant sostna li l-kontenut fil-plenarja tal-Pandora Papers jipprovdi analiżi estensiva tal-Pandora Papers u l-implikazzjonijiet politiċi tagħhom. Żied jgħid li l-kxif bħal dak tal-Pandora Papers huwa għodda utli biex tiġi żvelata mġiba qarrieqa fost il-klassi għolja fis-soċjetajiet moderni u dan wassal għal azzjoni politika inkluż riformi leġiżlattivi kontra dawk li jevadu t-taxxa u dawk li jaħslu l-flus.

Madanakollu, Sant saħaq li jekk l-UE trid iżżomm l-abbużi tat-taxxa taħt kontroll ma tistax tkompli tiddependi fuq dokumenti sigrieti li jiġu esposti għall-pubbliku perjodikament, dokumenti li joriġinaw minn sorsi dubjużi. Lil hinn minn dan, huwa enfasizza li hemm lok għal kooperazzjoni ferm aħjar bejn l-awtoritajiet tal-infurzar tal-liġi Ewropej u appella għal “inizjattivi proattivi” aktar kostanti biex tiġi indirizzata l-evażjoni tat-taxxa.

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A healthier and more transparent framework for tax competition

Alfred Sant expressed his full support for the objective of fostering transparency and integrity in the public sphere. However, he abstained on the vote because he disagreed with the introduction of a minimum tax rate and the end of unanimity within European Member States regarding tax matters. “I disagree with this as I believe in a healthy and transparent framework for tax competition, that takes account of each country’s specific endowments.” He stated.

The Pandora papers resolution appealed for rigorous inquiries to be launched into all illicit behaviour uncovered by the Pandora Papers among European nations. The resolution was adopted by 578 votes in favour, 28 against and 79 abstentions. The Pandora papers consist of 11.9 million leaked documents which exposed secret offshore accounts discovered by the ICIJ. 

Labour MEP Alfred Sant argued that the content in the Pandora papers plenary provides an extensive analysis of the Pandora papers and their political implications. He added that leaks like the Pandora papers are a useful tool to divulge deceitful behaviour among the upper class in modern societies and this prompted political action including legislative reforms against tax evaders and money launderers.

However, Sant emphasized that the EU cannot continue to depend on periodic leaks originating from dubious sources if it needs to keep tax abuses under control. Beyond that, he underlined there is room for much better cooperation between European law-enforcement authorities and appealed for more constant “proactive initiatives” to tackle tax evasion.