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E-action to President Sarkozy to call for the French FTT revenues to be used for fighting poverty and climate change
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced that France will go ahead unilaterally with a financial transaction tax. Over the last two years, President Sarkozy has repeatedly stated that a significant part of the revenue from the FTT will go to development and climate adaption. But in his last speech on Sunday 29th January, he said that the unilateral FTT would be used for the national “deficit” and did not mention development or climate financing.

This opportunity in France is of huge significance to the global campaign – a weak FTT in France, which only generates revenue for deficit reduction, would set a dangerous precedent for a wider Eurozone/coalition of the willing agreement later in 2012. We therefore need to do all we can to support the French campaign and put pressure on Sarkozy to respect his commitments and allocate at least part of the revenue for fighting poverty.

The draft bill will be presented at the French Parliament this Wednesday, 8th February and we expect it be discussed/voted on 13th February. This means we only have a few days to act!

Help promote the e-action!
Oxfam France has reacted very quickly and is launching an e-action today. The action asks supporters to send an email or telephone Sarkozy’s team to ensure that the draft proposal on Wednesday refers to development. It is a very short time frame (2 days) but absolutely crucial. We are therefore asking partners from the wider international movement to circulate the e-action far and wide, especially to any French speaking contacts your have.
http://www.oxfamfrance.org/3-jours-pour-agir-faites-pression,1293

The action is only available in French at the moment, and we are in the process of organising official translations. But given we have two days to promote this before the Bill is tabled, I’ve attached a quick google translation of the action in English. As you can see in the link, there is template email text and email addresses for you to use, so even if you don’t speak French, you should be able to participate!

We are also considering a number of other activities to support the French campaign over the critical weeks ahead – including a civil society sign on letter and open letters from African Minister or other influential figures who have previously spoken out in favour of an FTT. We will email again regarding these other activities in the coming days.