The Commission has presented a Communication reviewing the EU’s Economic governance framework. Specifically, this includes an assessment of the application of the six- and two-pack legislation.
These consultations will take place over the first half of 2020. The debate will consider, among others, the following questions:
· How can the framework be improved to ensure sustainable public finances in all Member States and to help eliminate existing macroeconomic imbalances and avoid new ones arising?
· How to ensure responsible fiscal policies that safeguard long-term sustainability, while allowing for short-term stabilisation?
· What is the appropriate role for the EU surveillance framework in incentivising Member States to undertake key reforms and investments needed to help tackle today and tomorrow’s economic, social, and environmental challenges while preserving safeguards against risks to debt sustainability?
· How can one simplify the EU framework and improve the transparency of its implementation?
· How can surveillance focus on the Member States with more pressing policy challenges and ensure quality dialogue and engagement?
· How can the framework ensure effective enforcement? What should be the role of pecuniary sanctions, reputational costs and positive incentives?
· Is there scope to strengthen national fiscal frameworks and improve their interaction with the EU fiscal framework?
· How should the framework take into consideration the euro area dimension and the agenda towards deepening the Economic and Monetary Union?
THE DEBATE IS OPEN:
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE YOUR COMMENTS OR ELABORATIONS WITH THE ETUC SECRETARIAT AND THE OTHER TUSLO. WE WILL ENSURE AN OPEN AND DEEP EXCHANGE BWEEN US TO SHAPE OUR THOUGHT TO PROVIDE CLEAR ANSWERS TO THESE COMPLEX QUESTIONS.
· Within the context of the European Semester, how can the SGP and the MIP interact and work better together, so as to improve economic policy coordination among Member States?