Mariano Rajoy claims that fight against tax fraud led to collection of 65.23 billion euros between 2012 and 2016

2017.11.15

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Lower House of Parliament, Madrid

The Spokesperson for the PSOE [Spanish Socialist Workers' Party] in the Lower House, Margarita Robles, enquired after the fight against tax fraud. In his response, President of the Government Rajoy underlined that this "has always been a priority for the government, and a key pillar" for fiscal consolidation and a "basic goal" for the recovery of the economy.

Mariano Rajoy pointed out that, thanks to the approval of the "different rules to become more effective in the fight against tax fraud" and the boost from "various initiatives at an international level", 65.23 billion euros were collected between the years 2012 and 2016. He highlighted that these are "the best figures of the State Tax Agency ever" and amount to "exactly 48% more than collected in the five previous years".

Pool Moncloa/Diego Crespo

The President of the Government stressed that the Tax Agency budget has been increased by 100 million euros and, furthermore, been subject to an extraordinary public employment offer.

He also pointed out that, since 1 July, "the so-called 'immediate supply of VAT information' is being applied, which allows us to control the collection of this tax". He explained that this measure is proving to be "very useful in the fight against fraud".

President of the Government Rajoy also clarified that the reason why the Constitutional Court declared the last tax regularisation to be unlawful was "for a mere formality", since it was enacted "through a decree-law and not through a draft law".

Elections in Catalonia

Albert Rivera, President of Ciudadanos, enquired after possible foreign interference in the regional elections called for 21 December in Catalonia. In this regard, the President of the Government remarked that the law in Spain "is provided with sufficient instruments to ensure that things function democratically" and so that "people can vote freely and decisions that are deemed fit and opportune can be adopted".

In this regard, Mariano Rajoy expressed his wish for these elections to serve to "open up a new era of calm" and expressed his conviction that they will be held "in a climate of normality and tranquillity". He also highlighted that "for the time being, everyone will stand in the elections accepting the rules contained in the Constitution and the Statute of Autonomy".

Pool Moncloa/Diego CrespoThe President of the Government recalled that, for the first time in the history of Spain, Article 155 of the Constitution has been triggered "to recover normality in Catalonia". In this regard, he reiterated that "if things turn out well, the economy may grow by as much as 3% in 2018, as it has in previous years.

The President of the Government also pointed out that the application of Article 155 led to the removal of the Regional Government of Catalonia, while, in parallel, the justice system acted "fully independently".

He highlighted that "things are now going better". Among other aspects, he stated that public services are working well and public servants are complying their functions in a professional manner".

As regards the question raised by the MP for Unidos Podemos, Pablo Iglesias, in relation to the signs of illegally inflated salaries being received by the People's Party that would affect Mariano Rajoy, the President of the Government said that this accusation has been proven to be false and urged the MP to explain whether he or his party have been financed by Venezuela or by Iran.

Non official translation