Justified criticism of tax havens

The German Finance Minister Peer Steinprück caused an uproar in Switzerland with his renewed criticism of neighbouring tax havens by comparing Swiss politicians with Indians. Looking beyond the rhetoric, the left-liberal daily Süddeutche Zeitung sees his point: "Steinbrück is entirely right to criticise the behaviour of tax havens like Switzerland and Luxembourg. Take Switzerland for example: The country's prosperity is primarily due to the fact that it benefits from practically all the advantages of the Single European Market without carrying the burdens of a wealthy EU member state. Such behaviour is clearly cherry picking. However ganging up with foreign criminals in order to deprive their countries of part of their tax revenues is unworthy of a civilised country. ... Nevertheless, that it's not the Indians who react so tearfully to Steinbrück's cheap comparison but the European dwarf states only shows up their bad consciences. If their consciences were clear they could simply shut Steinbrück up by ignoring him. He loves to hear himself talk, and nothing would annoy him more."

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