The German campaign for the FTT (Steuer gegen Armut) had a meeting in the finance ministry with Hartmut Koschyk, deputy of finance minister Schäuble, on the 10th of June.  

On the proposal of Koschyk, we also met secretary of state Hans Bernhard Beus, who is head of the tax department in the finance ministry. 

In its vote on June 8 2011, the European Parliament made its proposals for the new multiannual Financial Framework for the European Union. Once again, it calls for the introduction of an FTT in order to contribute to the own resources of the Union. See paragraphs 170-177.

Furthermore, in a chapter which should have been called 'development cooperation', it only talks about 'poverty alleviation' ... see paragraphs 113 and further on.

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In the Commission for Finance and the Commission for European Affairs of the French Parliament the party of Sarkozy (UMP) has taken up the draft resolution of the Socialist Party (PS) on the FTT with some changes. 

in the Commission for Finance and the Commission for European Affairs of the French Parliament the party of Sarkozy (UMP) has taken up the draft resolution of the Socialist Party (PS) on the FTT with some changes. 

The draft of the PS was proposed for a parallel debate with the German parliament which will take place on June 8th. 

ENOFAD, the European Network on Finance and Development has launched a parliamentarian's Call for an FTT. Send the text to you MP or MEP:

Parliamentarian’s Declaration for the Financial Transaction Tax (FTT)

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, PARLIAMENTARIANS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, DECLARE THAT:

The OECD unveiled a new, interactive index that will let people measure and compare their lives in a way that goes beyond traditional GDP numbers.

Called Your Better Life Index, the tool is part of a larger OECD Better Life Initiative that aims to measure well-being and progress. The index allows citizens to compare lives across 34 countries, based on 11 dimensions -- housing, income, jobs, community, education, environment, governance, health, life satisfaction, safety, work-life balance -- giving their own weight to each of the dimensions.

“This index encapsulates the OECD at 50, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and understanding in a pioneering and innovative manner,” said OECD Secretary-General, Angel Gurría. “People around the world have wanted to go beyond GDP for some time. This index is designed for them. It has extraordinary potential to help us deliver better policies for better lives.”

Go and see how your country performs and compare the well-being across countries based on 11 topics of material well-being and quality of life. 

As a result of pressure from below in France and Germany the French  Assemblée Nationale 

and the German Bundestag (the parliaments of the two countries) will hold 

simultanously a session on a joint French-German initiative for the FTT.  

The parallel sessions are scheduled for the 9th of June from 9:30 h - 11.30 h. 

This is also media wise the best timing. 

 This is a very good backing for our efforts to get finally a common strategy of the two countries.

 The parallel initiative has been arranged by the French Parti Socialiste and the German Social Democratic Party (SPD).   

 On both sides a motion will be presented with a list of common steps for the implementation of the FTT.

For those who want to know more on 'Finance Watch': a new body which wants to ensure that the interests of civil society are better taken into account when reforming the financial sector. Good financial services are essential and have a strong public interest dimension.

The Madrid meeting of trade union leaders states that green en decent jobs, social protection and a Financial Transaction Tax must be on the Rio+20 Agenda.

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