Raw: [Currently, the European Commission has plans to generate more tax revenue to fund the forthcoming MFF, the long-term budget running from 2028 to 2034. But the truth is, without serious reform, the EU isn’t ready for new taxation. ]
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Home • Op-eds • Without Reform, the EU Cannot Afford New Taxes
Without Reform, the EU Cannot Afford New TaxesMay 27, 2026By: Sean Bray
The EU’s cross-institutional disputes over the Multiannual Financial Framework are a little like a married couple arguing about money—it’s not really about the money. Instead, it’s about control and power, reflected in their competing visions of EU integration.
Currently, the European Commission has plans to generate more taxA tax is a mandatory payment or charge collected by local, state, and national governments from individuals or businesses to cover the costs of general government services, goods, and activities. revenue to fund the forthcoming MFF, the long-term budget running from 2028 to 2034. President Ursula von der Leyen is championing these tax hikes, saying it’s time to “match Europe’s priorities with Europe’s means.”
But the truth is, without serious reform, the EU isn’t ready for new taxation. The bloc should fix its existing fiscal levers instead.
This is a preview of our full op-ed originally published in Euractiv.
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About the Author
ExpertSean BrayVice President of Global Tax Policy at Tax Foundation and Policy Director of Tax Foundation Europe
Sean Bray is Vice President of Global Tax Policy at Tax Foundation and Policy Director of Tax Foundation Europe, where he researches international tax issues with a focus on tax policy in Europe. Prior to joining the Tax Foundation, Sean Bray worked in the United States Senate on tech, telecom, and trade policy.
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ExpertSean BrayVice President of Global Tax Policy at Tax Foundation and Policy Director of Tax Foundation Europe
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