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Fiscal Policy in Emu: Towards a Sustainability and Growth Pact?

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  • Benoiˆt Coeure´
  • Jean Pisani-Ferry

Abstract

This paper takes stock of the academic and policy discussions on the fiscal institutions of EMU, confronts the framework in place with what is known of the desirable properties of fiscal policy in a monetary union, and discusses possible improvements. We start with a discussion of three requirements for the fiscal framework of a monetary union: it should be conducive to public finance sustainability, leave room for stabilization at the national level, and encourage structural reform. We then examine how the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) measures up to these requirements and find that it has mostly failed on all three accounts. Whether the 2005 reform of the SGP fixes those deficiencies remains an open issue. To this end, we propose five building blocks towards an effective SGP: a better concept of sustainability; harmonized general government balance sheets; appropriate targets; refined procedures; and better institutions. Copyright 2005, Oxford University Press.

Suggested Citation

  • Benoiˆt Coeure´ & Jean Pisani-Ferry, 2005. "Fiscal Policy in Emu: Towards a Sustainability and Growth Pact?," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 21(4), pages 598-617, Winter.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:oxford:v:21:y:2005:i:4:p:598-617
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Eckhard Hein & Achim Truger, 2007. "Fiscal Policy and Macroeconomic Performance in the Euro Area: Lessons for the Future," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Jörg Bibow & Andrea Terzi (ed.), Euroland and the World Economy, chapter 8, pages 154-183, Palgrave Macmillan.
    2. Georgios Maris & Marios Psychalis, 2024. "Energy and Environmental Challenges in the European Union and Green Bonds," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, January.
    3. Marcos Poplawski Ribeiro, 2009. "New Evidence on the Effectiveness of Europe's Fiscal Restrictions," Working Papers 2009-13, CEPII research center.
    4. Sapir, André & Buti, Marco, 2006. "Fiscal Policy in Europe: The Past and Future of EMU Rules from the Perspective of Musgrave and Buchanan," CEPR Discussion Papers 5830, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    5. Roel Beetsma & Heikki Oksanen, 2007. "Pension Systems, Ageing and the Stability and Growth Pact," European Economy - Economic Papers 2008 - 2015 289, Directorate General Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN), European Commission.
    6. Konrad Szelag, 2008. "A Single Fiscal Policy in the Euro Area: Vision or Utopia?," NBP Working Papers 46, Narodowy Bank Polski.
    7. Fiorella Kostoris Padoa Schioppa, 2006. "The 2005 Reform of the Stability and Growth Pact: Too Little, Too Late?," Bruges European Economic Research Papers 6, European Economic Studies Department, College of Europe.
    8. Hyejin Ko, 2020. "Measuring fiscal sustainability in the welfare state: fiscal space as fiscal sustainability," International Economics and Economic Policy, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 531-554, May.
    9. Christopher Allsopp & David Vines, 2008. "Fiscal Policy, intercountry adjustment and the real exchange rate within Europe," European Economy - Economic Papers 2008 - 2015 344, Directorate General Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN), European Commission.
    10. Roel Beetsma & Heikki Oksanen, 2008. "Pensions under Ageing Populations and the EU Stability and Growth Pact ," CESifo Economic Studies, CESifo Group, vol. 54(4), pages 563-592, December.
    11. Heikki Oksanen, 2009. "Setting targets for government budgets in the pursuit of intergenerational equity," European Economy - Economic Papers 2008 - 2015 358, Directorate General Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN), European Commission.
    12. Marco Buti & João Nogueira Martins & Alessandro Turrini, 2007. "From Deficits to Debt and Back: Political Incentives under Numerical Fiscal Rules," CESifo Economic Studies, CESifo Group, vol. 53(1), pages 115-152, March.
    13. Stoian, Andreea & Alves, Rui Henrique, 2014. "High public debt in the euro area: still a fact," MPRA Paper 63679, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    14. Christopher Allsopp & David Vines, 2005. "The Macroeconomic Role of Fiscal Policy," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 21(4), pages 485-508, Winter.
    15. Sébastien Pommier, 2008. "The Use of Fiscal Policy in EMU: First Appraisal and Future Prospects," EKONOMIAZ. Revista vasca de Economía, Gobierno Vasco / Eusko Jaurlaritza / Basque Government, vol. 69(03), pages 28-45.
    16. Dimitrios Argyroulis, 2023. "The European Semester: An Ordoliberal Construct?," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 61(1), pages 143-160, January.

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