TAE Prize to Mario Monti, Prime Minister of Italy

The European Taxpayers Award which will be presented on 27 June 2012 in Brussels for the thirteenth time by the Taxpayers Association of Europe will go to Mario Monti, Prime Minister of Italy.

Mario Monti is going to be honoured for his long-lasting political and personal engagement for Europe. Particularly during periods of crisis, leadership personalities like Mario Monti are required, leaders that take measures - even though unpopular - and initiate reforms with strict discipline in their countries so as to put budgets that run into financial difficulties on the right track again, says Rolf von Hohenhau, the President of the Taxpayers Association. At the same time, Mario Monti was able to create the confidence necessary for his reform proposals. In spite of all the obstacles, he initiated reforms in Italy in the area of labour, health, pensions, public administration, budget and taxes and is trying to avoid additional taxes by means of cost saving measures. Europe and the Euro need Italy to be strong. Monti is very engaged in translating his reforms into reality, says the President of the European Taxpayers Association.

The award ceremony is taking place on 27 June 2012, 06.00 p.m. in the Representation of the Free State of Bavaria at the EU, Rue Wiertz 77, 1000 Brussels.  Franz Josef Pschierer, State Secretary of the Bavarian Finance Ministry, will open the event .The welcoming speech will be convened by Rolf von Hohenhau, President of Taxpayers Association of Europe, followed by a laudatory speech of Jean-Claude Juncker, Prime Minister of Luxembourg. After the award ceremony prize winner Mario Monti will address the audience.

The ceremony will be followed by a reception in the Bavarian representation in Brussels.

The award ceremony will be conducted in cooperation with the European Economic Senate (EES).