In 2008 Europe was hit by an unprecedented financial, economic and social crisis. Although neither tax avoidance, nor tax fraud, nor tax havens caused the crisis, their impact on public finances made the recovery vastly more difficult.

The S&D Group has for several years led the fight at EU level for fairer taxation and against tax fraud, tax evasion and tax havens. This is a major issue of social justice and economic efficiency which the Group is determined should stay at the heart of the political agenda.