Podcast

European fiscal rules

The current European fiscal framework is inefficient and relies on indicators that are badly estimated. How can the rules be improved and what can a E

Publishing date
15 June 2016

 

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The strong fiscal tightening implemented in many European countries since 2010 has contributed to the poor economic recovery in Europe. This raises doubts about the effectiveness of the EUs fiscal rules in achieving their two main objectives: public debt sustainability and fiscal stabilisation.

A key indicator in the framework is the structural budget balance, but it is very difficult to measure. Recommendations made based on the structural budget balance are often revised when initial estimates turn out to be wrong.

Another problem with the current EU fiscal framework is the opaque web of flexibility clauses. This leads to never-ending bargaining between member states and the European Commission about the implementation of the rules, which undermines trust in them.

A recent Bruegel by Gregory Claeys, Zsolt Darvas and Alvaro Leandro analyses and assesses the framework and proposes a new set of rules.

Producers - Giuseppe Porcaro & Vanessa Cotterell

Content

The current European fiscal framework and its flaws  until min. 07:50

Bruegel scholars propose new fiscal rules  from min. 07:50

Is a European fiscal council a good idea?  from min. 11:30

Speakers

Gregory Claeys  Research Fellow, Bruegel

Zsolt Darvas  Senior Fellow, Bruegel

Jochen Andritzky  Secretary General of the German Council of Economic Experts

Filippo Taddei   Chief Economist of the Democratic Party, Italy

捩娶梗莽梗紳喧梗娶莽&紳莉莽梯;&紳莉莽梯; ine Quinn, Bryn Watkins, Bruegel

 

 

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