MEPs heard out Commission President Juncker on new tax measures and questioned him on his role in Luxembourg.

Tough exchange on tax rulings with Commission

It’s near the end of  EP’s special committee on tax rulings,

set up after the Lux Leaks  on multi-nationals’ tax avoidance,

and MEPs had a chance  to question the European Commission,

Mr Juncker particularly, on his role  as Luxembourg’s former Prime Minister.

what role you played  in the tax haven aspects of Luxembourg?

I didn't set up any system of evading,  blocking or avoiding taxes in Luxembourg.

Instead, he stressed the need  for fairness and tax transparency.

as long as the fiscal landscape remains  fragmented and full of contradictions.

is for Member States automatically to  exchange information on special tax rulings.

I think that way tax trickery can be  more simply identified in the future.

For other MEPs, the address by Mr Juncker  was a whitewash.

He has missed the opportunity  to rebuild his credibility in tax matters

in his new role  as President of the Commission.

MEPs will vote on the special committee’s  recommendations in November.