23
Jun
2022
Watch
National vetoes to undermine the global tax deal (debate)
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the unanimity rule in the Council protects the sovereignty of the EU Member States in sovereign areas, particularly in tax matters. I am not surprised that the French presidency seeks to call it into question since Emmanuel Macron has always wanted to replace national sovereignty with so-called European sovereignty. In today's fight between Hungary and the French Presidency, I therefore support Hungary. That State has the right, in order to defend its national interests, to veto the adoption by the Union of a tax reform. Admittedly, I agree with the content of that tax reform, which consists in taxing the profits of large multinationals at a rate of 15%. I therefore regret its blocking, but the responsibility for it lies with the EU: pay Hungary the European Recovery Plan funds to which it is entitled instead of freezing them for purely ideological reasons, and Hungary will lift its veto. Morality: the unanimity rule is the best weapon at a state’s disposal to defend its sovereignty, as General de Gaulle demonstrated in 1965.