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Newsletter 17 Feb 2025 – 💸 Fair taxation in the EU & Progressive Yearbook

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17/02/2025
Capital and wealth taxation in the EU –

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The EU needs to introduce a minimum capital income tax! Why? How? Find the answers in our latest policy study or watch the conference that took place at the European Parliament. It simply makes no sense that the super-rich pay proportionally less tax than those on lower incomes.
 

A fairer taxation system is also among the many topics mentioned in the new edition of the Progressive Yearbook with forward-looking analyses of the key political developments of the year ahead.
Fair Taxation

POLICY STUDY LAUNCH

Capital and wealth taxation in the EU

Ways forward on the path for Social Justice

An event by FEPS, Kalevi Sorsa Foundation and the S&D Group  
 

Through tax avoidance, the ultra-rich and large multinational companies find ways to avoid paying their fair share.
 

Currently, high-net-worth individuals effectively pay less tax than middle-class workers in most EU countries, leaving the main burden of taxation on workers and the middle class.
Tackling tax avoidance
Capital and wealth taxation in the EU

Whilst taxation is at a national level, capital is at a global level, meaning that the super-rich can take advantage of where to store their money at the tax rates that will affect them the least.
 

The EU needs to introduce a minimum capital income tax!
 

The new policy study ‘Tackling tax avoidance‘ analyses the national tax regimes of 15 European countries. We presented it at the European Parliament alongside Esther Lynch, ETUC Secretary General; Chiara Putaturo, Deputy Head of Oxfam’s EU Office; MEPs Aurore Lalucq, Matthias Ecke, Jonás Fernández; and many others.  

🎥The full event is available here.  You can also watch our reel on why we should tax the super-rich!

International tax policy at crossroads

FEPS Fringe event at the Tax Conference Veroareena

A panel by FEPS and Kalevi Sorsa Foundation
 

FEPS’ panel discussion explored the growing role of the United Nations in international tax policy, with a particular focus on its impacts and opportunities for the Nordic region.
 

Veroareena, an annual public tax policy conference in Finland, brings together economic and tax specialists, policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders to discuss tax policy. This third edition centred on the relationship between taxation and economic growth and the latest international trends in tax policy.
International tax policy at crossroads
Progressive Yearbook 2025
Progressive Yearbook 2025

BOOK LAUNCH – FEPS HQ

📕 Progressive Yearbook launch

FEPS New Year reception
 

We launched the 6th edition of the Progressive Yearbook! With the mission of looking back to look ahead, the Progressive Yearbook focuses on transversal European issues that left a mark on the previous year and brings forward-looking analyses of the key political developments of the year ahead. It symbolises FEPS’ readiness to put these issues into perspective.

The book features contributions from renowned authors, including politicians, academics and analysts.
 

On the occasion of the launch event, we were joined by authors and guests, such as Gabriele Bischoff, MEP, S&D Group; Vytelis Andriukaitis MEP, S&D Group;  Karolina Leaković, International Secretary, SDP Croatia; Vassilis Ntousas, Senior Manager for Europe and Fellow, Alliance for Securing Democracy, GMF and many others.
 

On this occasion, we also revealed the Progressive Person of the Year! 
Progressive Yearbook launch
Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas awarded FEPS ‘Progressive Person of the Year’

FEPS Progressive Person of the year 2024-2025
 

Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas received the ‘Progressive Person of the Year 2024-2025’ award for his remarkable achievement in rebuilding the social democratic party in Lithuania.
 

Mr. Paluckas’ victory stands out as a beacon of hope in the Baltic and East Central European region. It demonstrates that the revival of centre-left politics is possible, even in the face of challenges like the Covid-19 crisis and the war in Ukraine.

FEPS awards the title of Progressive Person of the Year to social democratic leaders who contributed to important progressive policy initiatives of the past year. Previous recipients include Frans Timmermans, Sanna Marin, Roberto Gualtieri and Teresa Ribera.
 

Read the interview with Gintautas Paluckas, included in the Progressive Yearbook.
Events

Upcoming events

See full schedule
Applying a gender lens to Ukraine’s reconstruction
 

📅  24 FEBRUARY

🖥️ ONLINE

Applying a gender lens to Ukraine’s reconstruction

Ukraine Solidarity Day

The third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine comes at a moment of profound uncertainty.  Beyond the immediate military and geopolitical dimensions, the social impacts of the war must remain a central focus. 
 

A key priority is guaranteeing that Ukrainian women play a central role in the reconstruction process of their country. A gender-responsive approach to reconstruction is a matter of justice as much as a prerequisite for a sustainable and equitable future for Ukraine. Register now! 
>
Redrawing the lines of foreign policy through feminism 
 

📅  20 MARCH

📍 NEW YORK, USA

Redrawing the lines of foreign policy through feminism  

UN CSW69 Parallel event

In the framework of the Commission on the Status of Women that will take place at United Nations HQ in New York, the Feminist Foreign Policy Progressive Voices Collective (FFPPVC) parallel event will look into how far we have come in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and how we must confront new challenges through the lens of feminist foreign policy. Find out more.
>
Call to Europe: Peace, Prosperity and Progress – Europe!
 

📅  21-22 MARCH

📍 WARSAW, POLAND

Call to Europe: Peace, Prosperity and Progress – Europe!

As Poland assumes the presidency of the Council of the European Union, join us in Warsaw to explore key issues such as peace and prosperity, housing, and the revitalisation of democracy. Call to Europe, held bi-annually in the country hosting the presidency of the Council of the EU, serves as a dynamic platform for dialogue among experts, civil society representatives, and policymakers. Read more. 
>

Past events

See all past events

Progressive Migration Group in Addis Ababa

A project by FEPS AND FES
 

After the Progressive Migration Group (PMG) presented its findings in Brussels in September 2024, the group engaged with African stakeholders in Addis Ababa to promote equitable, collaborative partnerships with Europe.
 

Together, they discussed labour migration, development collaboration, and the New Pact on Migration and Asylum.
 

Read the recommendation of the PMG.
Progressive Migration Group delegation to Addis Ababa
News
FEPS joins BlueSky

FEPS joins BlueSky – follow our new account! 
 

When misinformation and disinformation run rampant, we resist attempts to bully users off certain platforms. Social media must be a public digital space where individuals can cohabit together respectfully. 
 

As a think tank, it is crucial that we promote empirical evidence and progressive policies to better our society. 

To do this, we have decided to diversify the social media platforms we can use for our research. 
 

Follow us for the latest updates and live coverage of the progressive agenda on key EU issues!

FEPS President on the European car industry and the Competitive Compass on Euronews ‘Brussels, my love?’ 
 

FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues took part in the Euronews talk show ‘Brussels, my love?‘ to discuss the Commission’s plans to scale back on red tape and environmental legislation. 
FEPS President on the European car industry and the Competitive Compass on Euronews ‘Brussels, my love?’

The debate also covered key challenges for the EU, including the cost of living, inflation, and public transportation.
Podcast
Listen to the podcast

FEPS TALKS PODCAST

Competitiveness and industrial policy beyond buzzwords 

With Lukas Bertram and David Rinaldi
 

🎧  Spotify | Apple Podcast | Website | Youtube

After the launch of the Competitiveness Compass, how can Europe achieve a unified industrial strategy that balances competitiveness with social and regional cohesion?
 

Listen to Lukas Bertram, economist at the Zoé Institute, in conversation with FEPS Director of Studies and Policy David Rinaldi, as they explore Europe’s competitiveness agenda and the path to an economy fit for the future.
Progressive Post

PROGRESSIVE PAGE

Trump 2.0’s world and European responsibilities

By Maria João Rodrigues, FEPS President
 
Trump 2.0’s world and European responsibilities

Faced with a comprehensive agenda which can shift the direction of the world, a democratic and progressive response to US President Donald Trump’s announcements and policies cannot limit itself to criticising and resisting. It should be able to build a convincing alternative from now on. Read more.

Photo credits: Shutterstock / rblfmr
Blunt weapons? Europe's fight against corruption

Photo credits: Shutterstock / DesignRage

DOSSIER

Blunt weapons? Europe’s fight against corruption
 

The record of the EU member states on the rule of law is diverse. Virtuous states cohabit with countries that face systemic corruption or even challenge the rule of law.

In this Progressive Post dossier, we reflect on some EU instruments to fight corruption: 

📚 Read more.

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« La souveraineté numérique européenne est un défi d’ordre civilisationnel »

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When Algorithms Undermine Democracy: Europe’s Wake-Up Call

by Social Europe 11/11/2025
Maja Fjaestad and Simon Vinge, co-editors of FEPS book "Algorithmic rule", wrote this op-ed on the power of algorithms and how they threaten the foundations of democratic oversight

Los mapas de las fronteras internas que alimentan el voto ultra en Europa

by El Confidencial 13/10/2025
"The internal border maps that fuel the far-right vote in Europe" - FEPS Secretary-General László Andor discusses the impact of cohesion policies on social inequalities and the rise of the far-right across Europe in this El Confidencial article.

Migranti: Amato a FEPS — “Socialisti e populisti fomentano ossessione”

by Avanti! 29/09/2025
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