Search results

This is a next, annual installment in a series, published regularly since 1978, of overviews of Belgian politics in a given year. This 2004 overview discusses the main topics & issues that preoccupied the government of Guy Verhofstadt, formed in a three-party coalition -- Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten ([VLD] Flemish Liberals and Democrats), Socialistische Partij Anders ([SP.A] Socialist Party Differently), & Sociaal, Progressief, Internationaal, Regionalistisch, Integraal-democratisch en Toekomstgericht ([Spirit]Social, Progressive, International, Regional, Integral-Democratic, and Future Justice) -- following the national election in May 2003: (1) immigrants' voting rights, (2) the controversy over Zaventem airport expansion requested by the German shipping company DHL, (3) redistricting/splitting of the Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde electoral district, (4) unemployment compensation, family policy, tax restructuring, & other social & fiscal issues pertaining to the 2005 budget, (5) environmental policy, (6) the implications of the regional & EU elections of 13 June 2004, (7) public safety & defense matters, (8) regional government/jurisdiction & civil service reforms & other matters of home policy, & (9) internal party politics. Z. Dubiel

Cilj ovog rada je istražiti u kojoj mjeri Europski sud pravde (ESP) odluke o prethodnim pitanjima u području socijalnih naknada za ekonomski neaktivne migrante, državljane Europske unije (EU), donosi strateški, a u kojoj se mjeri nacionalni sudovi u tim područjima pokoravaju odlukama ESP-a. Rad pri tome nastoji doprinijeti boljem razumijevanju utjecaja sudstva na javne politike putem procedure prethodnih pitanja EU-a. Kako je područje socijalne politike izrazito konfliktno, ovaj rad pretpostavlja da će aktivnosti ESP-a u tome području u najvećoj mjeri odražavati strateško balansiranje između dublje EU integracije putem sudskih praksi i poštivanja nacionalnih (fiskalnih) interesa i nadležnosti. Autor poseže za interguvernmentalnom teorijskom perspektivom racionalnog izbora i primjenjuje ju na primjeru Njemačke gdje su tri nedavna slučaja pristupa socijalnim naknadama (tj. posebnim nekontributivnim davanjima) upućena ESP-u na odlučivanje o prethodnim pitanjima (Dano C-333/13, Alimanović C-67/15 i García-Nieto C-299/14). Zaključci se temelje na rekonstrukciji političkih okolnosti, prethodne sudske prakse ESP-a, priloženih obrazloženja u slučajevima te konačne presude nacionalnih sudova. ; The purpose of this paper is to investigate to what extent the European Court of Justice (ECJ) decides strategically on preliminary references in matters of access to social benefits by economically inactive EU migrants, and to what extent national courts decide to comply with ECJ preliminary rulings in these issues. In doing so, this paper attempted to contribute to a better understanding of judiciaries' impact on public policy through the EU preliminary reference procedures. Knowing that the field of social policy is highly conflict-laden, this paper assumes that the ECJ activity in this area will largely reflect a strategic balancing between deeper EU integration through case law and respect for national (fiscal) interests and competences. The paper draws on an intergovernmental, rational-choice theoretical perspective and applies it in a case study on Germany, where three cases (Dano C-333/13, Alimanovic C-67/15 and García-Nieto C-299/14) regarding the access to social benefits (i.e. special non-contributory benefits) have recently been referred to the ECJ. To draw conclusions, the author traces political circumstances, previous ECJ case law, ECJ reasoning in the case studies and final verdicts by national courts.

U radu se istražuju odrednice kretanja tekućeg računa platne bilance Republike Hrvatske primjenom monetarnog apsorpcijskog pristupa platnoj bilanci. Glavna hipoteza rada pretpostavlja da se tekući račun platne bilance u Republici Hrvatskoj može objasniti unutar analitičkog okvira koji se temelji na monetarnom i apsorpcijskom pristupu analizi platne bilance. U radu se primjenjuje suvremeni ekonometrijski pristup nelinearne auto-regresije s distribuiranim pomacima (NARDL) koji uzima u obzir nelinearnu i asimetričnu prirodu odnosa između tekućeg računa platne bilance u Republici Hrvatskoj i njegovih determinanti. Procijenjeni rezultati na tromjesečnom uzorku podataka od prvog tromjesečja 2000. do drugog tromjesečja 2017. godine podupiru glavnu istraživačku hipotezu i potvrđuju da se tekući račun platne bilance Republike Hrvatske može objasniti korištenjem analitičkog okvira utemeljenog na monetarnom i apsorpcijskom pristupu. Domaća potražnja, realni tečajni indeks, te krediti privatnom sektoru i monetarni agregati M4 testirani su kao odrednice tekućeg računa platne bilance Republike Hrvatske. Utvrđeno je da monetarni agregati M4 imaju najveću objašnjavajuću snagu među istraženim monetarnim varijablama. Glavni nalazi ovog rada upućuju na potrebu za mjerama fiskalne politike i uklanjanje ograničenja hrvatskim izvoznicima u pristupu likvidnim sredstvima kako bi se uspostavila vanjska ravnoteža. ; The paper brings the determinants of Croatian current account dynamics under monetary and absorption approach. The main hypothesis of the paper assumes that Croatian current account can be explained within the framework based on the monetary and absorption approach to balance of payments. The research employed newly developed Non-linear Auto-Regression Distributed Lag (NARDL) approach that takes into account nonlinear and asymmetric nature of the relationship between Croatian current account and its determinants. Estimated results on a quarterly data sample from the first quarter of 2000 to the second quarter of 2017 supports the main research hypothesis and reveals that that Croatian current account can be explained using the analytical framework based on the monetary and absorption approach. Domestic demand, real exchange rate index, loans to private sector and monetary aggregates M4 are tested as the determinants of Croatian current account. Monetary aggregates M4 are found to hold the highest explanatory power among tested monetary variables. The main findings of the paper suggest the need for fiscal policy measures and relaxing the liquidity constraints for the Croatian exporters as necessary to obtain external equilibrium.

Cilj ovog rada je identificirati učinke poreznih promjena nastalih tijekom financijske krize na dohodovne nejednakosti među zemljama članicama Europske unije. Naime, nedavna je financijska i fiskalna kriza promijenila trendove u oporezivanju u najvećem broju zemalja članica Europske unije. Zemlje članice bile su različito pogođene krizom, prije svega, zbog različitosti povezanih uz makroekonomske neravnoteže prisutne u ekonomiji. Stoga su se među njima razlikovale i politike koje su se provodile uvjetovane upravo makroekonomskim i fiskalnim uvjetima. Rad uključuje teoretsku podlogu, komparativni prikaz postojećih razlika između poreznih sustava zemalja članica Europske unije te analizu prednosti i nedostataka različitih poreznih oblika. Kako bi se što preciznije definirale te razlike, testirane su reforme provedene u tri temeljna porezna oblika (koji opterećuju rad, kapital i potrošnju) kao i socijalni doprinosi korištenjem panel analize s fiksnim i varijabilnim efektom kroz vremensku seriju koja obuhvaća razdoblje od 2000. do 2011. godine. Porezi imaju značajan redistributivni učinak što svakako utječe na dohodovne nejednakosti, a uvelike ovisi i o vrsti poreznog oblika u primjeni. Većina je zemalja pokušala konsolidirati svoje javne financije i poboljšati porezne sustave kako bi potakla rast. U radu je postavljena hipoteza kako implementacija određenih fiskalnih mjera utječe na smanjenje nejednakosti te su pruženi dokazi kako socijalni doprinosi i porezi koji opterećuju rad utječu na statistički značajno poboljšanje dohodovnih nejednakosti među zemljama članicama Europsku unije. Iz navedenog se izvodi zaključak kako porezna politika, osobito izbor odgovarajućeg poreznog oblika, smanjuje dohodovne nejednakosti u Europskoj uniji u promatranom razdoblju. ; The aim of this paper is to identify the effects of tax changes that occurred during the financial crisis on income inequality across European Union member states. Namely, the recent financial and fiscal crises have changed taxation trends in a large number of the European Union member states. The member states have been differently affected by the crisis primarily depending on the different degree of macroeconomic imbalances ascendant in the economy. Therefore, policy responses varied among them and were strongly connected with macroeconomic and fiscal conditions. The paper includes a theoretical background, comparison of present differences among the taxation systems of the European Union member states, and an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of different types of taxes. In order to precisely define those differences, the influence of reforms taken in three major tax forms (labour, capital and consumption) was tested, as well as social security contributions using fixed and random effect panel models over the sample period from 2000- 2011.Taxes have a significant redistributive impact and this development affects income inequalities and depends on the type of tax implemented. Most member states have tried to consolidate their public finances and improve their tax systems in a more growth-friendly way. This paper presents a hypothesis that the implementation of selected fiscal measures influences inequality reduction and demonstrates that the overall social contributions and labour taxes lead to statistically significant improvements in income inequalities among EU member states. We conclude that tax policy, specifically the choice of taxes implemented, reduces income inequalities in the EU in the observed period.

The Christian Democrat/Socialist government Martens IV resigned at the end of Mar 1981, because the socialist party could not agree with an urgency plan to reorganize the public finances. Mark Eyskens, Minister of Finance in that cabinet, put together a new government in Apr & succeeded as Prime Minister. Robert Vandeputte, an extraparlementarian & honorary governor of the Central Bank, became the new Minister of Finance. Like preceding governments, the Eyskens cabinet was strongly hampered by deep mistrust between the coalition partners, opposing views between the two communities of Belgium, & disagreements about resolving the socioeconomic crisis. The Eyskens cabinet was particularly confronted with the organization of a restructured steel mill, increasing unemployment benefits, & the collapse of fiscal revenues. By mid-Sept, the government fell. Parliamentary elections were advanced to Nov. The Christian Democrats lost a considerable number of seats. A Christian-Democrat/liberal cabinet, again headed by Wilfried Martens, emerged by mid-Dec. It adopted a neoliberal policy, & Mark Eyskens became the Minister of Economic Affairs in the new government. Adapted from the source document.

Switzerland's attitude toward the EEC is typical of the new foreign policy adopted by that country in 1947 under the heading "Neutrality & Solidarity." A number of centrifugal factors (the EEC is regarded as the center or the pole of attraction) have kept Switzerland out of the EEC although many other factors--economic & commerical, in particular, but also ideological, cultural, political, & geographic--tend toward closer ties with the EEC & have acted as "centripetal" forces. The main "centrifugal" factors were: Swiss neutrality, the federal system, & direct democracy, such economic elements as the fiscal & agricultural systems & especially psychological factors including attitudes & ideas concerning the EEC & the consequences of membership. Fear of bureaucratization & fear of infringement on individual liberties are greater stumbling-blocks than economic & political factors. Timely corrections & adaptations in the international commercial field (EFTA membership, advantages gained from the Kennedy Round, the 1972 Free Trade agreement with the enlarged EEC) have reduced the necessity to seek a closer relationship with the Community, Only drastic economic, social, & political changes in the evolution of the EEC or of Switzerland itself could bring about fundamental changes in the relationship between Switzerland & the EEC. Modified HA.

Istraživanje i eksploatacija ugljikovodika u svakoj se državi provodi prema usvojenomu fi skalnom sustavu eksploatacije. Fiskalni sustavi određuju uvjete poslovanja tijekom cjelokupnoga integriranog procesa od istraživanja do eksploatacije i trgovine te su namijenjeni ravnomjerno i državnim tijelima koja su zadužena za eksploataciju i kompanijama operatorima. Trenutačno se u naftnome i plinskome poslovanju primjenjuju koncesijski i ugovorni fi skalni sustavi. Ugovorni sustavi dijele se na ugovore o podjeli proizvodnje te na servisne ugovore. Izbor fi skalnoga sustava eksploatacije glavni je cilj energetske politike prema eksploataciji ugljikovodika za državu, dok je on za kompanije operatore i za servisne kompanije način vođenja poslovanja. U radu su detaljno obrađeni navedeni fi skalni sustavi s primjerima uvjeta ugovora. Elementi ugovora, neovisno o sustavu, analizirani su s njihovim prednostima i nedostatcima. Fiskalni sustavi moraju biti odabrani tako da privlače kompanije koje žele investirati. Također, njihova je dužnost da maksimalno smanje rizike za sve uključene strane, ali da maksimiziraju dobit države tijekom faze iskorištavanja ugljikovodika. Za kompanije fi skalni sustavi moraju biti atraktivni kako bi balansirali rizike tijekom istražne faze s dobitima koje je moguće ostvariti tijekom faze iskorištavanja. Uspješan i zadovoljavajući sustav (i za državu i za ulagača) mora privući ulagača i ponuditi mu prihvatljive uvjete, dok, s druge strane, mora donijeti odgovarajuću korist matičnoj državi, njezinoj industriji i lokalnomu stanovništvu uz poštovanje zakona i čuvanje okoliša. Bez obzira na to koji je fi skalni sustav na snazi, glavni elementi moraju biti koncizni i jasni te ne smije biti prostora za dvojako tumačenje ugovora. Potrebno je osigurati realne i objektivne ciljeve te neutralnost vlasti u donošenju odluka. Fiskalni sustavi i uvjeti ugovora određeni su tržištem te je nužno osigurati potrebnu fleksibilnost u slučaju promjena na tržištu kako ne bi došlo do gubitaka za bilo koju od ugovornih strana. Stoga je jedan od glavnih izazova fi skalne politike ravnomjerna raspodjela rizika, odnosno potrebna je što manja divergencija u razmišljanju vlade i ulagača. Država mora promišljati više kako osigurati racionalno iskorištavanje mineralnih sirovina uz poštovanje ugovora s naglaskom na brigu o okolišu. Ulagač ne smije pored vlastite dobiti zanemariti socijalnu komponentu područja na kojemu posluje te također mora skrbiti o životu ljudi, stanju imovine i zaštiti okoliša. Fleksibilnost je glavni temelj uspješnoga ugovora, pa je dužnost države osigurati neovisno državno tijelo koje će nadzirati poslovanje ulagača. S obzirom na dugotrajnost samih ugovora navedeno tijelo mora osluškivati i promjene na tržištu te znati pravilno i pravovremeno reagirati bez obzira na političke opcije trenutačno na vlasti. Odabir fi skalnoga sustava također je potrebno provoditi uz sagledavanje širega geopolitičkog konteksta različitih političkih i vojnih sukoba koji u pozadini imaju interese vezane uz eksploataciju i trgovinu ugljikovodicima te njihovih utjecaja na cijene ugljikovodika i gospodarstvo u cjelini. Fiskalni sustavi i vrste ugovora opisani u ovome radu samo su jedan segment naftno-plinskoga poslovanja, no izrazito bitan s obzirom na to da utječu na stabilizaciju poslovanja na nesigurnome tržištu. ; The choice of the right fi scal regime represents the main object of the energy policy concerning hydrocarbon exploration and production for the state government. For the operator and service companies it represents the terms and conditions for practical conducting of the process in whole. This paper analyse aspects of agreements used in the petroleum indus-try. Elements of agreement, regardless of regime, have been described together with their advantages and disadvantages. Due to the fact that the fi scal regime has to be chosen to attract companies willing to invest in exploration and produc-tion, it represents a relevant part of the business strategy and also a base for the decision making process during start up. It has to minimize the risk for the both parties involved and maximize the state's share during the exploitation phase. For the companies, it has to be attractive enough to balance risks during the exploration phase with profi ts gained during the exploitation phase. The aim of this paper is to show the existing fi scal systems in the petroleum industry and to analyze the process for concluding a contract regarding the exploration and production of hydrocarbons. An overview of diff er-ent business practices in the oil and gas industry with a detailed breakdown of the contract terms between the parties involved have been described in the paper. The aim of this paper is to show the diff erent possibilities of fi nancial regimes which could help during the negotiation process for conducting hydrocarbon exploration and production for everyone involved.

U ovom radu analizira se ravnoteža između učinkovitosti i pravednosti u poreznom sustavu. Dok se učinkovitost obično odnosi na to koliko se dobro u nekom gospodarstvu dodjeljuju ograničeni resursi da bi se zadovoljile potrebe potrošača, cilj pravednosti je analizirati distribuciju resursa. Stoga je povezan s pojmovima poštenja i socijalne pravde. Učinkovitost se bavi optimalnom proizvodnjom i alokacijom resursa unutar dostupnih čimbenika proizvodnje. U poreznom sustavu učinkovitost znači sposobnost ubiranja dovoljnih javnih prihoda putem najvećeg mogućeg pojednostavljenja poreznog sustava. Pravednost analizira kako se dostupni resursi raspodjeljuju unutar društva. Okomita pravednost bavi se relativnim dohotkom i dobrobiti stanovništva ili time koliko se pravedno raspodjeljuju dostupni resursi. To može značiti više porezne stope za građane s većim primanjima. Vodoravna pravednost temelji se na uvjerenju da bi građani s istim dohotkom trebali plaćati poreze prema istoj poreznoj stopi. Cilj rada je identificirati uvjete pod kojima nema konflikta između pravednosti i učinkovitosti u poreznom sustavu. Porezni sustav je glavni instrument vlade za redistribuciju dohotka, ali postoji potencijalna ravnoteža između pravednosti i učinkovitosti. Ideja je odrediti one mjere koje potiču veću pravednost, ali ne utječu ili vrlo malo utječu na učinkovitost. Drugim riječima, namjera je rada odrediti mjere politike kojima se međusobno podupiru pravednost i učinkovitost i porezne mjere koje možda mogu omogućiti učinkovitiji fiskalni sustav. ; The paper examines the efficiency and equity trade-off in the tax system. While efficiency usually recounts to how well an economy assigns limited resources to meet the needs of consumers, the goal of equity is to analyse the distribution of resources. Thus, it is related to the concepts of fairness and social justice. Efficiency deals with the optimal production and allocation of resources within the available production factors. In the tax system, efficiency means the ability to collect sufficient public revenues by making a tax system as simple as possible. Equity examines how available resources are distributed in the society. Vertical equity deals with the relative income and welfare of the population or with how equitably available resources are distributed. It may imply higher tax rates for citizens with higher incomes. Horizontal equity is based on the belief that earners with the same income should pay taxes at the same tax rate. The aim of the article is to identify those conditions under which there is no conflict between equity and efficiency in the tax system. The tax system is the government's main lever to redistribute income, but there is a potential balance between equity and efficiency. The idea is to determine policy measures which stimulate greater equity, but have no or little effect on efficiency. In other words, our intention is to find out policy actions where equity and efficiency support each other and where tax measures may perhaps even enable a more efficient fiscal system.