‘I see it as more than just a tax’
What do you say about the symbolism of creating a tax that benefits the wealthiest but imposes a tax on ordinary Danes when they fly?
– Well, we look at the overall picture of the agreements we make. It’s not like we’ve given up on implementing taxes on private flights. We actually proposed a decision before we finished negotiations.
It was voted down in the Parliament, but the agreement you made with the government benefits the wealthiest Danes. So, what you have supported means that the wealthiest Danes do not pay taxes.
– We supported increasing the elderly pension for the poorest Danes. I think that’s really good.
Yes, but that’s a bit of a diversion. You supported the idea that ordinary Danes should pay a flight tax, while the wealthiest Danes who fly in private jets should not.
– Yes, that’s the outcome of the agreement, but at the same time, we proposed a solution to address that gap. So, I’m perfectly fine with helping the poorest pensioners, says Søren Egge Rasmussen.
‘I don’t see it as a protection’
In SF, climate spokesperson Signe Munk finds herself in a similar situation. She is part of the agreement but also advocates for a tax on private flights.
– It’s obvious that there’s an unfairness in wealthy individuals using private jets, like we use trains, without paying. They have a carbon footprint that also needs to be paid for.
Why is SF part of the agreement?
– Because the agreement is a positive step towards implementing a climate tax on commercial flights in Denmark. That’s something we haven’t had before. We wanted to include a tax on private flights in this agreement. There was no willingness from the government for that.
What do you think the symbolism is in protecting the wealthiest families and their most carbon-intensive flights?
SF’s Signe Munk regrets that a tax on private flights was not included in the agreement. (Photo: © Liselotte Sabroe, Ritzau Scanpix)
– I don’t see it as a protection. It’s simply the wrong way to look at it. The agreement on a passenger tax, which is a climate tax on commercial flights, is an important step forward in connecting CO2 emissions and payment. But it should also apply to private flights.
You say it’s not a protection. What would you call it then, when you’ve been part of an agreement where the average person has to pay a tax to fly, while the wealthiest Danes can fly in their private jets without paying a tax?
– Well, it’s an agreement on a passenger tax on commercial flights, which is the type of climate tax that can be implemented on commercial flights. It’s not possible to implement a passenger tax in the same way for private flights, says Signe Munk.
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Analysis:
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