| Author (Person) | Waterfield, Bruno |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Daily Telegraph |
| Series Details | 11.11.14 |
| Publication Date | 11/11/2014 |
| Content Type | News |
|
Preview and reports of a debate in the European Parliament on the 12 November 2014 on the disclosure a week earlier of arrangements whereby more than 300 companies secured secret deals from Luxembourg to decrease their tax bills during the time when European Commission President Juncker had been Prime Minister of Luxembourg. In light of the 'luxleaks' disclosures European Parliament Political Group GUE/NGL began gathering on the 11 November 2014 signatures for a motion of censure for his Commission. European Commission President unexpectedly turned up to speak to the media at the European Commission's Press Briefing on the 12 November 2014. He said the tax issue in question required a 'European answer' because corporate tax avoidance was a 'common practice' in 22 Member States. He denied that there was a conflict of interest in him being the head of the European Commission at the same time as the Commission was investigating the Luxembourg tax schemes. Mr Juncker made the same points when he equally unexpectedly took part in the European Parliament debate on the 12 November 2014, calling for greater tax harmonisation and transparency in tax issues. EurActiv reported on the 19 November 2014 that MEPs from an alliance of right-wing eurosceptic countries had tabled a motion of censure on the European Commission on the 18 November 2014. The motion was debated on the 24 November 2014. All European Commissioners attended the debate as a sign of confidence in Mr Juncker. A majority of the leaders of the EP Political Groups expressed support for the European Commission, led by Jean-Claude Juncker. The European Parliament rejected a motion of censure against Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker’s team in a vote on the 27 November 2014, with 461 votes against, 101 in favour and 88 abstentions. The motion was tabled by 76 EFDD and non-attached MEPs further to the 'Lux leaks' plenary session debate with Mr Juncker on 12 November 2014. Subsequently, the Greens/EFA group renewed its push for MEPs to support a full inquiry committee into tax evasion and dumping. However, the mainstream Political Groups resisted this move. |
|
| Source Link | http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/11224288/Junckers-position-as-head-of-Commission-to-be-debated-by-MEPs.html |
| Related Links |
|
| Subject Categories | Politics and International Relations, Taxation |
| Countries / Regions | Europe, Luxembourg |
