Albrecht Glaser
Brexit Legislation
German Bundestag, February 21, 2019,
Plenarprotokoll 19/83, pp. 9785-9786
[Albrecht
Glaser is an Alternative für Deutschland Bundestag member from the central
German state of Hessen. He has a number of years of experience as a public
administrator and elected official and is currently a member of the Bundestag
finance committee.]
Herr President. Honored ladies and gentlemen.
Honored fellow citizens - those who are still there – a hearty welcome.
On March 29, 2019, at 11 PM, the British exit
from the EU will take effect. This step was desired by a narrow majority of the
British electorate on June 23, 2016. Whether or not it will result in a treaty,
we do not know – apparently not.
In 1973 the United Kingdom joined the EWG [European Economic Community]. In
1975 this decision of the British government was also agreed to by a wide
majority in a popular referendum. In the 70s and 80s a preponderance of trades
union members and officials demanded England’s exit from the EWG. Since the 90s, an exit has been
demanded by an Independence party founded for this purpose as well as by
several conservative politicians. The question “National State or Union of
States with Discernible Development into a Super-State” has thus been put to
this country for decades and, with great import for world history, will now be
answered in favor of a far-reaching national sovereignty.
Considered by the world norm, the Kingdom
returns to normality. Other than Europe, on no other continent is there a
process of de-nationalization and with it the de-democratization in favor of
supra-national quasi-states. From China, Japan and Russia, across Africa to
South America, is it nowhere discernible that such a development is appearing,
although one could most nearly propose something of such a fantasy in South
America due to language and cultural affinities.
Generally in the world, there have continually
been military conflicts between states, especially between neighbors. Nowhere
in the world is the Über-state seen
as a problem solver for peace, democracy and human rights. Europeans should
reflectively concur on that.
As is well known, the grumbling of the people
is to be heard in Europe. Its denunciation as nationalism and provincialism
will be properly taken as the arrogance of the economic and political elite.
How one is to best build a secure as possible world is an open question. Europe
thereby does not become the orientation standard for the rest of the world –
and with its decreasing population, the steady regression of its portion of the
world economic performance, and its military agony – from year to year always
less so.
Today we are to dispose of two drafts of exit
accompaniment laws which should shield citizens and businesses from Brexit. We
regard these from the financial perspective as being reasonable; they ought to
be fashioned with the discretion as would have been necessary in earlier
negotiations.
In regards finance, ten laws in eleven
articles will be altered, from income tax law to pension fund supervisory
regulation, of which each of you has heard. The government with its draft has
corrected much and, nevertheless, forgotten much. It would have been more fair
to conduct a public hearing of experts and, in our view, more surprising were
the numerous suggestions also actually converted into substance.
To the original 20 specific alterations of
law are now a further 11 to be added. They refer to inheritance and gift tax,
the real estate earning tax, the payments service supervisory law and the
securities transaction law. We see a difficult detail work which is
nevertheless of great importance for the real life of citizens and businesses. To
represent that – as has been suggested – I can cite:
Due to Brexit’s legal requirements, a
dwelling in England requiring repair must not be disposed of. Building savings
banks must leave their invested capital in England. Damage clauses in insurance
policies with English businesses shall, for an interim period, be able to
continue in effect. The British business form of Limited Company in Germany can
be converted into a business of German legal form without having to reveal
silent reserves. An exemptions clause for family businesses in Germany which
have a British share of assets and much else are further subjects of these
regulations.
Together with this legislation, the federal
government contemplates the introduction of a special notice of affairs for
financial institution risk carriers; there have been discussions thereon. It
seems plausible and meets with our agreement.
The consultation process – I want to
expressly emphasize this – in the finance committee, as well as the news
conferences, are conducted factually and seriously.
Fritz
Güntzler (CDU/CSU): As always!
Accordingly, the results are good and the
entire legislative proposal meets with our approval… We will reject the motions
of the FDP and the Linke.
Otherwise, it is as I have reported and I
have reported throughout with great calm and joy.
Hearty thanks.
[Translated by Todd Martin]
