Gazdasági kormányzás

Taxation is a major tool for meeting public financing needs, as well as for supporting growth and job creation, both during the recovery and in the future, for a green and digital transition in the EU. In an opinion, adopted at its plenary on 23 February, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) welcomed the long-awaited European Commission (EC) initiative on the strategy on business taxation in the 21st century. However, the Committee also points out possible shortcomings and suggests additional key areas to be addressed. 

In its opinion on the Euro area's economic policy for 2021, the European Economic and Social Committee welcomes the Commission's recommendations, but calls for a shift in fiscal rules towards a more prosperity-oriented form of economic governance, including a golden rule for public investment.

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires more than political commitment, says the European Economic and Social Committee. Increased investment, especially by the private sector, is needed to address current economic, social and environmental challenges. The Committee therefore advises the EU and its Member States to adjust their investment and tax policies to enhance growth prospects, and thereby private sector contributions, to accomplishing the SDGs.

The European Union should grasp the opportunity of the new political mandate and financial period to improve its economic policy coordination and governance. The European Semester should become the most important element of economic policy coordination and a multi-level and multi-actor governance approach should be implemented, says the European Economic and Social Committee. It suggests that an EESC competence centre for exchange of information could be established to address implementation concerns in relation to a future EU strategy.