Posted on 12/16/2012 4:51:20 PM PST by dynachrome
French actor Gerard Depardieu says he is handing back his French passport after the prime minister criticised him for moving to Belgium to avoid taxes.
In a letter to a newspaper he lambasted the French government for punishing "success, creation and talent".
Last week the 63-year-old actor announced he was moving to the small Belgian town of Nechin just over the French border.
French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault described the decision as "shabby".
Next year, the top rate of income tax in France is due to become 75% on earnings above 1m euros. It is currently 50% in Belgium.
"I am not asking to be approved of, but I could at least be respected. All of those who have left France have not been insulted as I have been," Depardieu said in the weekly Le Journal du Dimanche.
He accused the government of Socialist President Francois Hollande of driving France's most talented figures out of the country.
"I am leaving because you consider that success, creation, talent, anything different, must be punished," he said.
Depardieu said that during his long career he had paid 145m euros (£118m) to the French taxman.
"At no time have I failed in my duties. The historic films in which I took part bear witness to my love of France and its history," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
A little French tickle would be good for both of the boys...
You “guess?”
Depardieu is a pinko, but I guess even for him enough is enough.
(I think the novel sucks, but I get the drift loud and clear.)
I think even leftist Johnny Depp left France because of it
I wonder how much the French government can get for the passport?
I guess the Frenchie didn’t want to bend over one more time for the Socialist.
Both rates are outrageous.
Une tres bonne idee, Gerard. A very good idea.
Wow. I bet no one predicted the rich would flee if taxes became too high. No one could see that one coming.
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