16/10/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 12 October, the Syndicat des exploitants des cinémas d'outre-mer (SECOM; syndicate of overseas cinema operators) delivered a petition to the European Parliament warning of the consequences of the homogenisation of the additional special tax (to finance the French cultural exception by supporting French cinematographic production) on the activities of overseas cinema operators and its non-compliance with the specifics of the extremely remote regions, as recognised in the treaties (article 349 TFEU). It is “economic and social nonsense”, says SECOM, adding that it fails to take account of the disadvantages facing the extremely remote regions. It reiterates that building a cinema complex costs 50% more on average in the overseas departments and regions (DOM). The move would lead to inflation, which will reduce the purchasing power of local inhabitants, which is already lower than in mainland France. (PH)