Merkel and Hollande wedding vows: A „yes” for the Robin Hood Tax

Love at second sight: After a slightly rough start to their relationship during the French presidential election campaign, Chancellor Merkel and the new French president Francois Hollande have finally celebrated common interest – both of them are in favour of the Financial Transaction Tax.

The tax could be a first step for harmonisation between the two of them. Robin Hood – symbolic figure of the German campaign “Tax Against Poverty” (Steuer gegen Armut) – solemnised the marriage and reminded the couple that the tax revenues should be used for fighting poverty and climate change around the world.

After the ceremony, the newly weds took off on their honeymoon. The pair visited the embassies of Denmark, Italy and Spain to convince the governments of these countries to support a Financial Transaction Tax as a wedding present for the happy couple.

The German campaign “Tax Against Poverty” welcomed Hollande’s support of a Financial Transaction Tax but warned that the tax revenues should not only serve European growth, but also to help the poorest and most vulnerable.