"Solidarity tax", played within USL

USL Co-President Victor Ponta says that the government considers imposing an additional tax of 16 percent for higher budgetary revenues but admits that the topic was not discussed within USL.

The Premier defends the government's intention, however, showing the need for measures that such income to be made ​​"in a normal area."

"Crin Antonescu has right; we did not discuss it within USL.

"We need a measure through which the large revenues to come in an area of normality," said Victor Ponta.

Co-President of USL, Crin Antonescu, said in a press conference at Arad, answering a question about the so-called solidarity tax announced by Prime Minister Ponta, that he does not believe that the increase of taxes is a solution.

"I do not see it well, meaning that I do not think that is a solution. I never believed that the increase of taxes, especially on such short circumstances, is likely to solve anything. Philosophy, principles and our tax formulas negotiated within USL are very clear: a regressive tax, so 16 percent remains the largest share of tax.

"Solidarity tax is however a formula that exceeds our understanding on the tax formula and from this point of view, if there are not very practical reasons, I do not support such a measure", said Crin Antonescu.

Possible additional tax "only in the public sector"

The Government considers the additional tax, with another 16 percent of the amount of pension or salary that exceeds 4500 euro / month, system which could be implemented next year and only for the public sector, said on May 29, Prime Minister Victor Ponta.

"In addition to the tax system, if needed and if it be a good idea, especially in the budget, because I do not want to give negative signals to the private area which already suffered quite a lot from the crisis, for those who have high incomes to the budget, of over 4,500 lei per month, there may be a fee of solidarity.

"A charge of 16 plus another 16 over which exceeds 1,000 euros per month," said Victor Ponta.

Less than two weeks ago, on May 17, Prime Minister announced the Government's intention to additionally tax revenues of more than 10,000 lei.

"There is only one solution, in my view we should see how the excessive revenues of the budget may return to a normal level, not cutting, but possibly through a special tax.

"If there is income, whether wages or pensions, which blatantly exceed 100 million salaries and pensions as there are in this area, we must find a solution for 2013 by a kind of solidarity tax" said Ponta at RTV.

Translated by Alexandra-Diana Mircea
MTTLC, Bucharest University