It is a small letter that did not go unnoticed. Addressed to the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland, last month (January 2023), it was signed by some 200 millionaires asking to be taxed. ” A necessary measure “, they explained, “ by a society of extremes endangered by growing inequalities “. Among these signatories: Marlene Engelhorn, a young Austrian heiress, very lucid about the state of her wallet and her planet. In Vienna, Céline Beal was able to meet her.
Bankers left London
And the number of millionaire bankers has increased by more than 40% in 2021. There are now 1,957 in Europe, a record. The reason is also to be found in the relocations of large establishments caused by Brexit. But it’s not just bankers, many wealthy people have also preferred to leave the country, for fear of the recession and political instability caused by leaving the EU. Favorite destination Asia, the Emirates and, of course, Europe. Marie Billon.
In Sweden, growing inequalities
Relatively lower inequalities on the European continent than elsewhere, in particular thanks to social redistribution. The richest 10% own 58% of the assets, compared to 77% in Latin America, for example. But all the same, disparities are widening within each country. With a surprising example that defies all received ideas, Sweden!
The wealth gap between rich and poor is widening at a staggering rate. For 5 years, it has even been the OECD country where things are going the fastest. If there are more poor, there are also many more super rich. The latest report from the Swedish Statistics Agency puts forward a figure: the number of billionaires (in crowns) has increased from 28 to 542 in 25 years. How to explain this multiplication by 20 of people possessing more than 100 million euros? This is the combined result of a fiscal and banking policy very favorable to owners, while the real estate market has soared… Report in Stockholm, Carlotta Morteo.
And in France, according to the report on global inequalities, a tax of 1.6% on the income of multimillionaires would make it possible to invest in education, health and ecological transition.
European universities prefer the train to the plane
Will universities go green? In Europe, more and more faculties have decided to restrict air travel… of their teachers or researchers.
It was the University of Utrecht, in the Netherlands, which first made this decision. Clemence Penard.
Every week, in partnership with ENTR, virtuous initiatives in Europe. The video to be found on their social networks!
The Music Chronicle of Vincent Théval
An album and a title in the form of a tribute… I saw her standing therea Beatles song revisited by American jazz pianist Brad Mehldau.