Within days of taking office in January, the former Belgian prime minister will put his weight behind controversial proposals already floated by the commission's head, José Manuel Barroso, for a new "Euro tax".

He will add credence to Mr Barroso's plans, to be formally tabled in the New Year, by arguing for a Euro-version of a "Tobin Tax" – a levy on financial transactions already floated by Gordon Brown as a solution to the international banking crisis. It would result in a stream of income direct to Brussels coffers, funding budgets that critics say are already rife with waste and overspending.

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Filed under: * Economics, Politics • Economy • Taxes • Politics in General • * International News & Commentary • Europe

1. Br. Michael wrote: Any country that cedes its sovereignty to this “one world government” deserves to be taxed. November 23, 9:19 am | [comment link]

2. Br_er Rabbit wrote: Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated. November 23, 10:55 am | [comment link]

3. Clueless wrote: How long with Germany tax its financial transactions with deflated (and valuble) Euros, while Spain taxes theirs with inflated Euros? The dollar is seriously ill.  We have idiots from California who want to print money but at least they are OUR idiots.  They can move to the midwest, get religion, and vote Red. The Euro is mortally ill.  These guys were at war less than 60 years ago.  Most of them still don’t like each other, and they speak different languages. I do not think the Euro or the EU can last the next 10 years. November 23, 3:54 pm | [comment link]

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