European elections: Top candidates for EU President demand tax on (aviation) kerosene, to help deal with CO2 emissions

Both the conservative Manfred Weber [German politician] and the social democrat Frans Timmermans [Dutch politician and diplomat] want to tax aircraft fuel. They are the main candidates to be the next EU Commission President, after Jean-Claude Junker steps down later in May.  But they are divided on the CO2 tax. Both want to abolish the tax benefits for aviation fuel. Airlines currently do not pay fuel tax on their fuel, due to historic international agreements. The injustice leads to lying being significantly cheaper than other means of transport. “The preference of the airline business must be ended.” Then the train would also have better chances in the competition.  Frans Timmermans wants to tax kerosene “unconditionally and quickly”… “If it fails at the international level, we have to introduce the tax EU-wide.” They disagree on whether carbon should be taxed, due to difficulties in protecting the poor.  The German Union parties have so far no uniform position on the CO2 tax. But Timmermans wants a European tax on CO2, and said the next President must make climate protection a top priority and push the transformation of the economy in the next 5 years.
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European elections: Top candidates demand tax on (aviation) kerosene

7th May 2019 (Telle report, international news)

Both the conservative Manfred Weber [German politician] and the social democrat Frans Timmermans [Dutch politician and diplomat] want to tax aircraft fuel. On the other hand, they are divided on the CO2 tax.

The top candidates of the two largest European parties want to abolish the tax benefits for aviation fuel. Airlines would have to pay for kerosene currently because of international agreements, no taxes, while the train and motorists would be asked to pay, said Manfred Weber, leader of the conservative European People’s Party, in a campaign debate in the ARD.

The injustice leads to the fact that flying is significantly cheaper than other means of transport. “The preference of the airline business must be ended.” Then the train would also have better chances in the competition. His Social Democratic rival Frans Timmermans wants to tax kerosene “unconditionally and quickly”. “If it fails at the international level, we have to introduce the tax EU-wide,” said the Dutchman. Flying contributes to global warming.

On the other hand, Weber and Timmermanns disagree on the issue of CO2 tax. Weber spoke against it. Although the CSU politician pleaded in the ARD election arena clearly for ambitious climate protection by 2050. But it should not burden the poorest and the weakest about higher fuel and heating oil prices. “I want innovation,” said the top candidate of the European People’s Party. The German Union parties have so far no uniform position on the CO2 tax.

Timmermans, on the other hand, clearly advocated a European tax on carbon dioxide. The next EU Commission President must make climate protection a top priority and push the transformation of the economy in the next five years, added the Dutchman.

Timmermans also advocated lowering the voting age to 16 years. At that age teens would already know what they wanted, said Timmermans in the ARD election arena. This shows the 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg. The conservative leading candidate Manfred Weber (CSU) was not determined to lower the voting age, but also said: “One must also discuss the voting age.”

Weber and Timmermans delivered their first TV duel in Germany just over two weeks before the European elections. As top candidates of the largest political groups in the European Parliament, they are considered to be the most promising candidates for succeeding EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. The new European Parliament will be elected from 23 to 26 May.

The top candidates of the two largest European parties want to abolish the tax benefits for aviation fuel. Airlines would have to pay for kerosene currently because of international agreements, no taxes, while the train and motorists would be asked to pay, said Manfred Weber, leader of the conservative European People’s Party, in a campaign debate in the ARD.

The injustice leads to the fact that flying is significantly cheaper than other means of transport. “The preference of the airline business must be ended.” Then the train would also have better chances in the competition. His Social Democratic rival Frans Timmermans wants to tax kerosene “unconditionally and quickly”. “If it fails at the international level, we have to introduce the tax EU-wide,” said the Dutchman. Flying contributes to global warming.

On the other hand, Weber and Timmermanns disagree on the issue of CO2 tax. Weber spoke against it. Although the CSU politician pleaded in the ARD election arena clearly for ambitious climate protection by 2050. But it should not burden the poorest and the weakest about higher fuel and heating oil prices. “I want innovation,” said the top candidate of the European People’s Party. The German Union parties have so far no uniform position on the CO2 tax.

Timmermans, on the other hand, clearly advocated a European tax on carbon dioxide. The next EU Commission President must make climate protection a top priority and push the transformation of the economy in the next five years, added the Dutchman.

Timmermans also advocated lowering the voting age to 16 years.At that age teens would already know what they wanted, said Timmermans in the ARD election arena. This shows the 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg. The conservative leading candidate Manfred Weber (CSU) was not determined to lower the voting age, but also said: “One must also discuss the voting age.”

Weber and Timmermans delivered their first TV duel in Germany just over two weeks before the European elections. As top candidates of the largest political groups in the European Parliament, they are considered to be the most promising candidates for succeeding EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. The new European Parliament will be elected from 23 to 26 May.

https://www.tellerreport.com/news/–european-elections–top-candidates-demand-tax-on-kerosene-.rJZRpFtkn4.html

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