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Reforming the EU macroeconomic policy system: Economic requirements and legal conditions
The stability and adequacy of the European monetary and fiscal frameworks are increasingly challenged by enduring changes in the economic environment. This column summarises the findings of a group of economists and lawyers specialised in EU matters who undertook a comprehensive assessment of the economic requirements and legal conditions of a well-functioning macroeconomic policy system for the EU and the euro area. They propose reforms of economic framework in line with economic necessities along three dimensions (coordination of fiscal and monetary policies, fiscal rules, and fiscal capacity at EU level) and assess their legal feasibility. They conclude that meaningful reforms that would bring legal clarity and improve economic performance are feasible within the confines of existing primary law.