The Evolution and Challenges of the EU’s Fiscal Policy Framework: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

The European Union’s fiscal policy framework has undergone significant evolution and faced numerous challenges since the establishment of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). This essay critically analyzes the development, reforms, and critiques of the EU’s fiscal rules, particularly in light of the sovereign debt crisis and the recent pandemic. Initially, the EMU focused little on fiscal integration, but the subsequent two decades have been marked by expansion and crisis management, with key reforms such as the ‘Six Pack,’ the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance (TSCG), and the ‘Two Pack’ aiming to stabilize the EMU and prevent unsustainable public finances. Despite these efforts, the EU’s fiscal rules have been criticized for their complexity, rigidity, and lack of enforcement, leading to ineffective fiscal management. The Maastricht Treaty’s fiscal cap and public debt target, operationalized through the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) since 1999, have been particularly scrutinized. Current proposals for reforming the EU’s fiscal framework are seen as insufficiently simple, flexible, and effective, potentially leading to unintended negative consequences. The essay also examines the role of the European Banking Union (EBU) in the fiscal policy framework, established in response to the financial crisis and designed to ensure the soundness of Europe’s financial sector. The EBU, with its Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) and Single Resolution Mechanism (SRM), plays a critical role in preventing banking sector problems from causing financial distress in EU countries.