Meeting of the finance ministers and central bank governors of the G20 countriesKay Nietfeld/dpa
The budget proposal from Brussels is causing furrows in foreheads in Berlin. Burdening companies and handing over tobacco tax revenues to the EU? Not an option for Germany, says the finance minister.
Durban (dpa) – Germany’s Finance Minister Lars Klingbil does not consider the proposal by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for the next long-term EU budget to be acceptable. “We must absolutely remain proportionate in finances. I see that as not being maintained,” said the Social Democrat on the sidelines of a meeting of G20 finance ministers in Durban, South Africa.
The German government wants to strengthen Germany’s economy, secure jobs, and attract investments to the country. “And this corporate taxation, which is now being proposed by the European Commission, is the wrong signal in this form,” said Klingbeil.
As one of several new sources of revenue for the EU budget, the Commission proposes a levy on large companies with an annual turnover of more than 100 million euros. In addition, 15 percent of the revenue from national tobacco taxes should flow to Brussels. Klingbeil also criticized this. Germany cannot agree to this proposal, he emphasized. (July 17)
