Merkel Blasts Tax Rises As ‘Poison’ As She Starts Campaign

[interestrateripoff]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-08-13/merkel-blasts-tax-increases-as-poison-as-she-starts-campaign.html

German Chancellor Angela Merkel denounced tax increases as “poison” as she waded into the campaign for Sept. 22 elections vowing to remain in office for the full four-year legislative period if she wins another term.

Speaking in Berlin late yesterday after returning from a two-week vacation, Merkel rebuffed the charge that her election effort is excessively cautious, saying there are “very clear” differences with the opposition Social Democrats. She singled out taxes, which SPD chancellor candidate Peer Steinbrueck has pledged to raise, minimum wages and European policy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20996508

The Greek parliament has approved a series of unpopular tax rises aimed at boosting revenue in line with Athens' commitments to international creditors.

The measures, approved overnight, introduce a new top tax rate of 42% for Greeks earning more than 42,000 euros (£34,700; $56,000) a year.

Corporate rates also go up and the tax base now includes low-earning farmers.

A poison she is more than willing to see inflicted on Greece, whose economy has imploded.