For a freer, leaner and more growth-friendly Europe

10 Demands of the European Taxpayers’ Association (TAE) – For a freer, leaner and more growth-friendly Europe

Milei Conference, Leipzig, 14 March 2026

Michael Jäger, President of the Taxpayers Association of Europe (TAE)

 

Preamble

The Taxpayers Association of Europe (TAE) is committed to a strong Europe – but a Europe that respects its citizens and taxpayers.

We do not want to abolish either the European Union or the euro. We want to improve them.

Europe needs less bureaucracy, sound finances and greater confidence in the power of the market economy. Prosperity is not created by ever-new programmes and regulations, but through innovation, competition and personal responsibility.

That is why the TAE calls for a return to the central principle of Europe’s founding fathers:

subsidiarity – making decisions where they can best be made.

The 10 Leipzig Theses of the European Taxpayers’ Association 

  1. Europe needs fewer bureaucrats – not more.

The European Commission must be streamlined.

Instead of 27 Commissioners – currently one per Member State – 18 Commissioners are sufficient. This figure is derived from the Treaty of Lisbon, which provides for a Commission composed of only two-thirds of the Member States.

At the same time, the bureaucratic burden in Europe must be reduced by at least 25 per cent – for businesses, citizens and public administrations. 

  1. No EU taxes through the back door

Tax sovereignty lies with the national parliaments.

We firmly reject new EU taxes – such as the planned EU corporate tax CORE or the misappropriation of national taxes, as in the case of the tobacco tax TEDOR.

Europe must not become an independent tax state. 

  1. A debt-free Union

Joint debt programmes such as the Next Generation EU recovery fund must not become a permanent fixture.

The EU needs budgetary discipline – not the mutualisation of debt.

Those who decide and spend must also bear the responsibility. 

  1. Limiting expenditure rather than inflating budgets

Europe does not need ever-larger budgets, but better priorities.

The rule must be: efficiency before expansion.  

  1. EU funding should be clearly limited.

The EU budget must continue to be financed predominantly by contributions from the Member States.

The ceiling must not exceed 1.4% of gross national income.

Europe must not become a self-service system.  

  1. No laws without impact assessments

Before new EU regulations are adopted, comprehensive, transparent and independent impact assessments must be carried out.

No new regulation without a cost-benefit and impact assessment. 

  1. EU funding only subject to clear conditions

EU tax revenue must only be disbursed if the rule of law is upheld.

Anyone who violates the EU’s values must not receive EU funds.

Protecting taxpayers requires clear conditions. 

  1. Finally, barriers to competition must be removed.

Europe needs a simpler tax and regulatory system.

Initiatives such as the FASTER Directive or the EU Commission’s reforms must be consistently utilised to cut red tape.

Europe must not drive businesses away with a regulatory jungle. 

  1. Technology neutrality instead of ideology

Europe must not jeopardise its industry through isolated EU policies.

Excessive CO₂ taxes or blanket bans, such as the ban on combustion engines, jeopardise competitiveness and jobs.

Climate protection requires innovation – not deindustrialisation. 

  1. A digital euro, yes – but cash must remain

A digital euro must not crowd out private payment providers.

One thing must remain clear, however: cash is freedom in action.

The state must not be granted unrestricted access to its citizens’ money.

Conclusion

Europe stands at a crossroads.

Either the EU will become an increasingly centralised bureaucratic apparatus, or it will return to what it was originally intended to be:

a space for freedom, competition, innovation and prosperity.

Europe’s taxpayers do not expect new programmes. They expect a sense of responsibility, moderation and economic prudence.

For ultimately, the truth remains: without taxpayers, there is no state. And without economic freedom, there is no prosperity.

More Europe where it is needed, and less Europe where it is possible!

Leipzig, 14 March 2026