A ‘civil war’ broke out between the German Finance Ministry and the union of the German tax officers (DSTG) as the latter express their strong opposition to have 160 of their members to be sent to Greece. In a statement, the DSTG not only stresses that the main problem of tax collection in the debt-ridden country is ‘the lack of political will’. The union make reference to the growing anti-German sentiment in Greece and express fears about the safety of their members.
According to DSTG chairman Thomas Eigenthaler, Greece has no problem in recognizing the problem, but “there is lack of political will to effectively implement the tax laws, to collect taxes and foremost to prevent tax evasion and tax avoidance. It looks as if help from Germany is not wanted. Aid in form of political consulting would be OK.
“I can never know what the German pesonnel would do on the spot, given the large structural defects” Eigenthaler says adding that ‘the tax morale is very bad there.”
Furthermore, the Chairman of the Tax offcicers union, express concerns about the growing ant-German sentiment in Greece.
“The negative public opinion towards Germany has been shown during protests, ” the Chancellor and the Finance Minister were presented in nazi uniforms. Given the volatile situation
I would be very worried about my physical safety. My colleagues as well. The risk of abuse is simply too big.
The DSTG proposes nistead of German tax offciers to move to Greece, it would be better if “open-minded and motivated Greek tax investigators and auditors should be trained in Germany.”
In this way, “tThe country would keep its dignity and the help woul dbe understood as self-help”, the statement concludes.
Full statement in German HERE
As i understood it most of them are already pensioners and they are volunteers and as some (or more and more) of them speak also Greek they know what to do: Sit at the beach together with their already sent colleagues from France and play commissioner!
hahaha! or Monopoly with Greek real estate assets
“… Greece has no problem in recognizing the problem, but “there is lack of political will to effectively implement the tax laws, to collect taxes and foremost to prevent tax evasion and tax avoidance. It looks as if help from Germany is not wanted. Aid in form of political consulting would be OK.”
That’s quite interesting. Relating to this, people may be interested in reading the paragraph titled “El-Erian: Greece sacrificed to protect Italy”, which is available at:
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite3_1_29/02/2012_430519
“The union make reference to the growing anti-German sentiment in Greece and express fears about the safety of their members.”
This gives me a laugh.A good laugh. For years now we have been called thieves,lazy and basically no good by these people(germany’s government). Now they are afraid to come here? I do not understand why. It reminds me of those little dogs that yap yap yap at you behind a closed gate but when you go to open the gate they run away with their tails between their legs. How come the germans that live here and are part of our society do not have a problem. It is not anti german it is anti german government stooges! 🙂
I believe German are really alarmed about the anti-German sentiment here and FM Westerwelle made a ‘friendship attack’ towards Greece today. Have to find the post.
Well, that recent poll showed 79% of Greeks have a negative view of the Germans. That study wasn’t about the German government or Merkel. It’s only reasonable to draw conclusions from that. Our tax specialists aren’t welome, ok. Ask the Swedes or Durch for help if you want some.
As for the problems of foreigners living in Greece, I recommend the regular “letters from our readers” section of Ekathimerini. Interesting insights there.
That DSTG leader makes sense. We already have enough of our officials (those guys in the green clothes) working under high risk in one country, we really shouldn’t send others (those clad in suits) to yet another hostile region.
well, im from Greece. may some people here have a negative position to Germany but its only for the politicians! everybody here hoped german tax officers to arrive and make us this ”control”. and thats why we are so tired and dissapointed of our politicians stealing us and laugh in front of our eyes…