For a freer, leaner and growth-friendly Europe
10 demands from the Taxpayers Association of Europe (TAE) - For a freer, leaner and growth-friendly Europe
Milei Conference, Leipzig, 14 March 2026
Michael Jäger, President of the Taxpayers Association of Europe (TAE)
Preamble
The European Taxpayers’ Association (TAE) stands for 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 regulation, 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
- 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 follows from the Treaty of Lisbon, which provides for a Commission comprising 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.
- No EU taxes through the back door
Tax sovereignty belongs with 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 a tax state in its own right.
- No debt 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 be liable.
- Limit spending rather than inflating budgets
Europe does not need ever-larger budgets, but better priorities.
The rule must be: efficiency rather than expansion.
- Clearly limit EU funding
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.
- No laws without impact assessments
Before new EU rules are adopted, comprehensive, transparent and independent impact assessments must be carried out.
No new regulation without a cost-benefit and impact analysis.
- EU funds only subject to clear conditionality
EU tax revenue must only be disbursed if the rule of law is upheld.
Those who violate EU values must not receive EU funds.
Protecting taxpayers requires clear conditionality.
- Finally remove barriers to competition
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.
- 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 action requires innovation – not deindustrialisation.
- A digital euro, yes – but cash must remain
A digital euro must not crowd out private payment providers.
And one thing must remain clear: cash is freedom in action.
The state must not be granted complete 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 meant to be:
A space for freedom, competition, innovation and prosperity.
Europe’s taxpayers do not expect new programmes. They expect responsibility, moderation and economic prudence.
For in the end, 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, March 14, 2026
