The New Leviathan Blog

Fines: state diversions Last year, fines brought in 311.5 million euros for the federal state, or 12.6 million more than in 2005 (+4.2%). Half of this amount comes from traffic fines, according to figures from the Federal Public Service Finances published by Het Laatste Nieuws. The immediate collection of traffic fines, particularly in the event of an offense relating to wearing a seat belt or speeding, made it possible to collect 185.9 million euros last year. “Transaction...Read More >>

France: the excesses of the tax system The implementation of the withholding tax on income will take time and meets with "little enthusiasm", according to a new report on the issue submitted Tuesday to the Minister of the Economy Thierry Breton, for whom this reform nevertheless goes “in the direction of history”. A major promoter of withholding tax, which consists of having household taxes collected in real time directly by companies or pension funds, and no longer by th...Read More >>

The European Union and Europe Broken down, in crisis, paralyzed, in a coma, disenchanted... So many expressions which reflect the same observation: the European Union is in the grip of disaster as it celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome - of which birth certificate of the European Economic Community. On this occasion, the Twenty-seven will not fail to praise the merits and successes – peace, prospe...Read More >>

The international decline of social capital Distrust of the political and economic "elite" is growing, revealed an opinion poll carried out by the Gallup Institute from November to December among 55,000 people from sixty countries. This result reveals a sharp deterioration in humanity's confidence in its future: the same survey published a year earlier gave the advantage to optimists (35 pc) over pessimists (30 pc). The greatest pessimists are the Greeks, Portuguese and...Read More >>

To detox from tobacco or from the State? Smoking at work, in high schools, shopping centers or even hospitals is now prohibited in France, but “nicotine addicts” can still “toast one” at the local café, at least for a few months. The ban initially concerns businesses, educational establishments, administrations, shops, shopping centers, health establishments, train stations, airports, sports halls, performance halls, etc., and all means of public transport. In eleven months...Read More >>

The European Leviathan 1, The 13 eurozone countries will issue a special two-euro coin this week to mark the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome. All copies are illustrated with an open book on a background representing the Capitoline Square, in Rome, and bear the words "Treaty of Rome" in the language of the country. Belgium, the only country with three official languages, opted for the Latin expression "pactum romanum", while Ireland in...Read More >>