Europe

23 Aug 2026

Pieter Levels quoted

Our readingAfter a European exit tax, the EU will try to tax its citizens' worldwide income wherever in the world they live.

European governments and thus the EU too is losing lots of tax income from Europeans fleeing Next on the agenda is the European Exit Tax and after that I think they will try to add Worldwide Income Tax (like the US already has) meaning it doesn't matter where you live in the world as a European citizen, the EU will tax you for your entire income!

↗I think the EU will try to add Worldwide Income Tax after the European Exit Taxlevels.io

23 Aug 2026

Pieter Levels quoted

Our readingMost high-skilled Europeans are happy to pay even high taxes, provided the government does a great job in return.

I think most high skilled Europeans are happy to pay (even high) taxes That is, if the government does a great job like Singapore or Dubai or Korea or Japan and most things work well You pay the government for a service and you get safe cities, great public services and great healthcare back

↗Most high-skilled Europeans are happy to pay high taxes if the government does a great job like Singapore or Japanlevels.io

10 Sept 2025

Ursula von der Leyen quoted

Our readingThis is Europe's independence moment: it must be able to provide its own defence and control the technology and energy its economy runs on.

This must be Europe's Independence Moment. I believe this is our Union's mission. To be able to take care of our own defence and security. To take control over the technologies and energies that will fuel our economies.

↗2025 State of the Union Address by President von der Leyen, 10 September 2025enlargement.ec.europa.eu

10 Sept 2025

Ursula von der Leyen quoted

Our readingA new world order based on raw power is being drawn right now, and Europe has to fight for its place in it.

Battlelines for a new world order based on power are being drawn right now. So, yes, Europe must fight. For its place in a world in which many major powers are either ambivalent or openly hostile to Europe.

↗2025 State of the Union Address by President von der Leyen, 10 September 2025enlargement.ec.europa.eu

14 May 2025

Friedrich Merz quoted

Our readingGermany will provide whatever money the Bundeswehr needs to become the strongest conventional army in Europe.

Die Bundesregierung wird zukünftig alle finanziellen Mittel zur Verfügung stellen, die die Bundeswehr braucht, um zur konventionell stärksten Armee Europas zu werden.

↗Regierungserklärung von Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz, 14. Mai 2025bundesregierung.de

25 Apr 2024

Emmanuel Macron quoted

Our readingEurope is mortal — it can die, and whether it does depends entirely on choices Europeans make now.

My message today is simple. Paul Valéry said, at the end of the First World War, that we now know that our civilizations are mortal. We must be clear on the fact that our Europe, today, is mortal. It can die. It can die, and that depends entirely on our choices. But these choices must be made now.

↗Speech on Europe, Sorbonne, 25 April 2024 (Elysee English transcript)elysee.fr

25 Apr 2024

Emmanuel Macron quoted

Our readingThe era in which Europe bought its energy from Russia, had its goods made in China and left its security to the United States is over.

And so yes, the era when Europe bought its energy and fertilizers from Russia, had its goods manufactured in China, and delegated its security to the United States of America, is over.

↗Speech on Europe, Sorbonne, 25 April 2024 (Elysee English transcript)elysee.fr