editorial partner Liberte! Friedrich Naumann Foundation

Economy

Tax Burden and Policy in Georgia
Economy
Tax Burden and Policy in Georgia
The tax burden directly determines how many resources remain in the hands of businesses and how much goes to the state budget. However, it also has some influence on the price level. The size of the tax burden affects the speed of economic development - the more money a business has in possession, the more development and expansion opportunities it has, the more materials it buys, the more money it invests in the purchase of new equipment.
How Financial Markets Discipline Politicians
Economy
How Financial Markets Discipline Politicians
Can financial markets put pressure on a powerful country like France, the world\'s eighth-largest economy? It is better not to test it. The UK has found that out several times. An analysis by Institut Montaigne found that promises made before the election by the leftist New Popular Front would increase France\'s annual budget spending by €95 billion and the state finance deficit by 3.6 percent of GDP.
Industrial Policy Does More Harm Than Good
Economy
Industrial Policy Does More Harm Than Good
Many governments are interfering more and more deeply in economic processes. Protectionism is on the rise in the world. The result could be a stagnant global economy. Tadeusz Syryjczyk, Minister of Industry in Tadeusz Mazowiecki\'s government in Poland, once stated that the best industrial policy is no industrial policy.
Cutting of Red Tape: Promise Once Again Broken?
Economy
Cutting of Red Tape: Promise Once Again Broken?
With its Commission Work Programme 2024, adopted on October 17, 2023, the European Commission emphasized its commitment to reduce reporting requirements by 25 per cent. While the Commission promises to cut bureaucracy, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is looming. The CSRD imposes substantial new disclosure and compliance requirements on companies.
Ongoing Echoes of Polish Political Earthquake
Economy
Ongoing Echoes of Polish Political Earthquake
In recent days, the media in Poland have been dominated by information about the dispute over the election subsidy for Law and Justice (PiS), as well as the intense actions of the new government aimed at addressing the abuses of the United Right authorities. The awaited decisions by the National Electoral Commission and the arrest of former Deputy Minister of Justice Marcin Romanowski are the main topics captivating public opinion.
Slovakia’s Public Wages: Highest in V4, Exceeding EU Standards
Economy
Slovakia’s Public Wages: Highest in V4, Exceeding EU Standards
The current process of negotiating salary increases for public servants should also be seen in the context of international comparisons. Slovakia spends the most on salaries in the whole V4, not only as a share of total public administration expenditure but also as a share of GDP. In these comparisons, Slovakia spends more than the EU average.
Progressive Tax Hidden in Levies
Economy
Progressive Tax Hidden in Levies
In its program statement, the government announced its intention to increase the progressivity of personal taxation. In the budget plan, it already speaks specifically of the intention to \"introduce 3rd and 4th personal income tax rates from 2025,\" which is expected to increase public revenues by EUR 78 million. A 3rd rate of 30% is to apply to annual personal income above EUR 80 000.
Bulgaria Is Already Rich According to World Bank – Now What?
Economy
Bulgaria Is Already Rich According to World Bank – Now What?
Earlier this month, it became clear that the World Bank has classified Bulgaria as a high-income country. This news is an important reflection of the long-term growth trajectory and catching-up process of the developed countries, particularly those in the European Union. Still, it is far from meaning that Bulgaria already has a guaranteed spot in the rich countries club and does not have any difficult problems to solve.
Economic Cost of Homophobia in Bulgaria
Economy
Economic Cost of Homophobia in Bulgaria
Bulgaria loses between 2.4 and 4.9 billion USD of additional GDP per year due to discrimination against LGBTI+ people, as estimated in a report[1] by the Institute for Market Economics (IME). Bulgaria\'s GDP could be 2.5% to 5% higher were there to be full acceptance and equality for LGBTI+ people, according to an estimate by IME based on the 2023 data.