About: fiscal policy

Coalition against EU debt rule reform shows cracks

Eight EU countries known as “the alliance of responsibility" who spoke out in favour of an early return to strict debt rules in a position paper in September 2021 are being pushed towards compromise with even Germany adopting a more conciliatory tone. EURACTIV Germany reports.

France sees chance of compromise with Germany on EU fiscal rules

France will be able to reach a compromise with the new German government to update the European Union's fiscal rules to face economic challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Monday (29 November).

Fiscal reform and why it matters for climate

The EU's economic governance must drive climate action for a just transition, not austerity, writes Isabelle Brachet.

Defending Europe starts with defending and strengthening European competitiveness

As EU leaders looks towards economy recovery in the wake of the pandemic, they need to give businesses the environment needed to thrive, writes Stefano Mallia.

France urges Germany to follow its example with budget stimulus

France will cut taxes by more than €10 billion next year and Germany should follow Paris' footsteps with fiscal stimulus to revive its flagging economy, France's finance minister said on Thursday (26 September).

Mr Altmaier goes to Europe

At the start of this week, Eurogroup and ECOFIN met in Brussels. Interim Finance Minister Peter Altmaier attended the meetings on behalf of Germany for the first time. The talks focused on the banking union, fiscal policy and the Paradise Papers. EURACTIV Germany has an overview.

Schäuble praises progress made by Spain, takes aim at Moscovici

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble has praised Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy for the "great progress" he has made in structural reforms and refuted EU claims that Germany should be spending more to stimulate growth. EURACTIV Spain reports.

Bundesbank chief: Brexit is ‘political crisis’

The UK's decision to leave is being felt on the other side of the Channel; the German economy has been hit by the result as well, the president of Germany's central bank told EURACTIV's partner WirtschaftsWoche.

Berlin set to insist on home-grown ECB president

CSU politicians want the next president of the European Central Bank (ECB) to be German, as Berlin grows increasingly exasperated with the bank's policies. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Renzi clash with Juncker and Merkel escalates

The tensions between Rome and Brussels have intensified, with a tough exchange of words in the light of the unfolding refugee crisis, and a looming banking crisis in Italy.

Towards a stronger euro area: Sharing risk and sovereignty

What would a proposed “European Fiscal Union” look like, and would it be successful? ask Jörg Haas and Katharina Gnath.

Commission warns member states against labour tax cash cow

Eurostat has published its annual report on taxation trends in 2012, a year that saw tax burdens increase across the European Union. Brussels has warned member states against high taxation, especially on labour. EURACTIV France reports.

German government: France must adhere to Stability Pact

France is again seeking an extension from the EU on the deadline to reduce its national deficit. European Parliament President Martin Schulz supports the idea but the German government is insisting on adherence to the guidelines of the European Stability Pact. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Šemeta: Fiscal union involves tax cooperation

Creating a fiscal union will require greater cooperation on taxation and tax evasion, Taxation Commissioner Algirdas Šemeta tells EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.

Brussels steps up efforts on pension reform

As pension reform reaches the top of the EU agenda to counter market speculation over the sustainability of public finances, a pool of eight commissioners is set to meet for the first time on Friday (11 June) to give the green light to a comprehensive roadmap centered on "adequacy" and "long-term sustainability".

The case for adapting the policy framework in the euro area

Maintaining a learning mindset and showing willingness to adapt the policy framework of European monetary union is "crucial" to the euro's long-term success, according to a January report from Bruegel.

Comment – Europe’s unhealthy fiscal obsession

Inflexibility, a reluctance to correct mistakes, excessive independence and a pathological obsession with fiscal policy are four serious problems afflicting the European Central Bank, argues Wolfgang Munchau in the FT.

Fiscal challenges facing the new member states

In their paper prepared for a DG ECFIN workshop in November 2004 and published by Poland's Center for Social and Economic Research (CASE),  authors Marek Dabrowski, Malgorzata Antczak and Michal Gorzelak sum up the new EU member states' fiscal situation and prospects in light of the EU's fiscal rules under the Stability and Growth Pact.

The dog that lost its bark – the Commission and the Stability Pact

In a new Policy Brief submitted in November 2004 to the Monetary Committee of the European Parliament, CEPS Director Daniel Gros and two of his fellow Macroeconomic Policy Group say that the Commission's proposals for reform of the Stability and Growth Pact risk watering down the pact, resulting in an erosion of fiscal discipline.

ECOFIN adopts VAT and e-commerce Directive

During its meeting on 6-7 May, EU Economic and Finance Ministers have agreed on the final adoption of the Directive laying down the rules for applying value added tax (VAT) to certain services supplied by electronic means.

European Parliament approves savings tax proposal

On 14 March, the European Parliament approved a Commission proposal on the taxation of savings income paid to EU residents. Following an agreement reached between the Member States in November 2000, this proposal now focuses on the exchange of information instead of the imposition of a withholding tax.