More Liberal Voices

More Liberal Voices is a project coordinated by the Lithuanian Free Market Institute (LFMI). Through this project we aspire to advance the liberal agenda in the EU decision-making process and to give an organized voice to liberal solutions by submitting rigorous analysis and responses to some key areas of public policy of the European Union. By pooling together the expert and advocacy capacities of the liberal-minded think-tanks in the 4Liberty network, we seek to multiply the outreach, visibility and impact of these groups in driving liberal policies in the EU agenda

Policy Papers

A Joint Open Letter on the Future of EU Finance

BY More Liberal Voices / September 25, 2017

The politicized use of EU funds distorts the motivation of market participants, impairs free competition, discourages an effective allocation of limited resources, incentivizes corruption, drives inflation in recipient countries and brings benefits primarily to particular interest groups rather than to all EU citizens.

Economy

Restrictions on the Posting of Workers: Protectionism against the Poorer Member States

BY Rafal Trzeciakowski AND More Liberal Voices / September 21, 2017

The proposed restrictions to posting of workers disproportionally hit the poorer Member States from Eastern and Southern Europe. However, these countries should not push for retaliatory regulations to protect their home markets, but to block “equal pay for equal work in the same place” and further liberalise trade in services.

Economy

Political Economy of VAT in Poland

BY Aleksander Laszek AND More Liberal Voices / September 19, 2017

The VAT base in Poland has its weaknesses due to both domestic and EU polices. National authorities overuse reduced rates, making the VAT system too complicated and problematic for businesses while a zero rate on intra-EU trade incentivizes fraud.

Economy

LFMI Position on EU Initiative on Restrictions on Payments in Cash

BY More Liberal Voices AND LFMI / June 1, 2017

The European Commission has launched a legislative initiative on cash payment restrictions aimed at exploring the rationale for the introduction of upper limits on cash transactions. LFMI presents its position on the issue of restricting cash payments as a measure to fight against criminal activity, terrorism and the shadow economy.

Economy

The Reform of VAT Rates: A Way Forward

BY LFMI AND More Liberal Voices / March 21, 2017

Possibility to set statutory VAT rate below 15% for a wider set of different goods and services may lead to lower effective VAT rates in various Member States. Therefore, countries, which have fewer exemptions and/or reduced rates, may maintain the same principles of taxation but lower their standard VAT rate.

Economy, Politics

The European Pillar of Social Rights: Vague Answers to Real Issues

BY Zilvinas Silenas, LFMI AND More Liberal Voices / November 22, 2016

As usual, the wording of this political declaration is vague and the purpose is unclear. Will it bring more flexibility to the EU economy and labor markets or will it make them more rigid? The whole text is permeated with the spirit of having your cake and eating it at the same time.

Economy, Publications, Think Tank News

The Effect of Corporate Tax Base Harmonization in the EU

BY More Liberal Voices AND LFMI / November 20, 2016

Unified tax rules can hardly contribute to trade liberalisation. A diversity of tax systems is not a roadblock for free trade. Quite the opposite, differences in tax systems might serve as a stimulus to trade. Taxes constitute a significant share of costs and a large share of the price of factors of production, labour in particular.

Economy, Think Tank News

LFMI’s Position on the European agenda for the collaborative economy

BY More Liberal Voices AND LFMI / November 17, 2016

It is estimated that even though the sharing-economy now contributes only EUR 28 billion to the EU economy per year it can grow to up to EUR 572 billion per year. In order to use as much potential as possible, both the EU and its Member States have to implement a regulatory model that is flexible and applicable to different business models.

Policy Papers

Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive and Its Implications

BY More Liberal Voices AND LFMI / November 17, 2016

Although many agree that tax competition is a healthy and natural economic process that drives economies, the EC now sees tax harmonization as an essential factor for the functioning of the single market. Together with the CCCTB initiative, the ATA Directive could be seen as a first step toward this harmonisation.

Policy Papers

Sharing Economy and Slovak Public Regulations

BY Robert Chovanculiak AND More Liberal Voices / October 25, 2016

The article analyses the present state of regulation of accommodation and taxi services in Slovakia. We then briefly describe the arrival of sharing economy platforms such as Uber and Airbnb into Slovakia. We present our recommendations for changes in the public regulations.