Looks like he's running out of other peoples money
French President Francois Hollande has called for "eradication" of the world's tax havens and told French banks they must declare all of their subsidiaries.
| Note to all wealthy French: this is your last moment to get your money to a bank in the Caymans. You have been warned. |
He was speaking after presenting a draft law aimed at "moralising" French public life - a response to the tax scandal that has shaken his presidency.
| Because nothing says 'morality' like a French government minister... |
France's ex-Budget Minister Jerome Cahuzac has been charged with fraud over a secret Swiss bank account.
Mr Hollande said a new central agency would fight fraud and corruption.
| Absolutely. More central government is always the answer. |
Earlier the French Socialist government set a deadline of 15 April for ministers to declare their assets, as part of the new transparency drive.
Mr Cahuzac admitted last week that he had hidden about 600,000 euros (£509,000; $770,000) in a Swiss bank account, causing shock in France. He has now been expelled from the Socialist Party for lying about his financial affairs.
| But he still has his money, and he's likely to 'visit' Switzerland in the near future... |
Addressing a news conference on Wednesday, Mr Hollande said "tax havens must be eradicated in Europe and worldwide".
"I won't hesitate to consider as a tax haven any country that refuses to co-operate fully with France."
He said French banks "will have to publish every year the full list of their subsidiaries in the world, country by country". They will also have to explain their business, he said.
"In other words it won't be possible for a bank to hide transactions carried out in a tax haven." |