The discussion centers on not only finding new budget financing but also shifting tax authority toward the level of the European Union. Three taxes are under scrutiny, a number many find substantial. When an entity gains taxing powers, it gains a state-like quality, noted a PiS member of parliament in a televised interview.
The politician spoke with editor Aleksandra Jakubowska on the program W Centrum Naszen about the three new taxes proposed in the amendment to the EU multiannual budget for 2021-2027. The big question was whether the Instrument for Ukraine within that package could cover all three taxes.
In reality, the decisions were made in December, and the question of own revenues was tied to changes in the multiannual budget in a way that some viewed as artificial. Tax revenues connect to the budget, creating a direct link, but the issue extends beyond locating new financing; it also concerns transferring some taxing powers to the EU level. Three taxes, some observers note, is a lot. It is widely understood that taxation powers can alter a national profile, as observed by the politician.
The matter also touches on anticipated European reforms that would involve shifting powers to the European Commission, removing veto mechanisms, and introducing the euro, among other steps, the politician added in the program.
There is an expectation that Prime Minister Orban may have to concede on certain points, the interview suggested.
A decision was made around mid-December, though confirmation will come over time as positions evolve. There were reports in the British press about Hungary facing pressure, including potential blocks on EU funds and moves affecting the forint, all amid Hungary’s ongoing debt management. The discussion noted that significant debt remains challenging to manage, even as progress is made in other areas.
Such pressure could ease through informal discussions, the interview suggested, with a likelihood that Orban may eventually yield on some issues.
Which three new taxes are being considered?
Kuźmiuk clarified the specifics of the three charges and explained why the United Right government opposed these solutions, labeling them unfriendly to Poland. The first concerns revenues from trading carbon dioxide emission allowances. This activity has historically generated substantial income for national budgets because many firms must purchase allowances domestically.
The second proposal is the border carbon adjustment mechanism, CBAM, designed to shield the EU from imports produced under looser environmental rules. While this approach makes sense to some, it raises questions about compatibility with World Trade Organization principles and has sparked protests worldwide. Nevertheless, the EU pursues this measure with clear determination, the politician argued.
The third proposal is the so-called corporate tax. In theory this could have benefits, but it would channel revenues away to the EU budget. The first two taxes carry ecological aims. Today, the budget is tied to GDP, so wealthier nations contribute more; replacing this system with ecological taxes could disadvantage poorer countries that lag in environmental progress. Poland, with a coal-reliant energy sector, would likely be affected for years to come.
Kuźmiuk noted that income from the ETS flows into the national budget, and sharing that with the EU budget would place Poland at a disadvantage.
If these taxes were adopted, officials would be questioned about the burden on Poland and how much higher it could be compared with the standard contribution, the Telewizja wPolska interlocutor summarized.
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aja/Telewizja wPoland