Taxing the richest in the EU

Over the past decade, wealth disparities have significantly widened in Hungary. Policies of the Orban government are characterised by a clear trend of resource redistribution in favour of the wealthy. These policy measures undermine health systems, public services, environmental protection and the fight against poverty.

Therefore, FEPS collaborated with the Institute for Social Democracy (Szociális Demokráciáért Intézet) to boost the Tax the rich European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) in the Hungarian context. 

“Tax the Rich” aims to tax great wealth to finance the ecological and social transition. If one million signatures from citizens across the EU are collected, the European Commission will have to propose legislation on the issue. 

With three events in Pécs, Budapest and Szeged and a social media campaign, the project aims to raise public awareness and collect signatures in Hungary. 

Among the ambassadors of the initiative in Hungary are: 

• Gabor HARANGOZÓ, Director, Institute for Social Democracy
• Zoltan LAKNER, Political Analyst and Editor-in-chief of Jelen weekly
• Ferenc BÜTTL, Economist and CEO of the Metropolitian Foundation for Social Policy
• Lola GIAY, Student Activist

The events are held in Hungarian.

For more information on the project, please do not hesitate to contact Vanessa Zwisele, FEPS Project Officer (vanessa.zwisele@feps-europe.eu).