Is the main objective of the preventive arm of the Stability and Growth Pact delivered?

Executive summary

Is the main objective of the preventive arm delivered?

I

The preventive arm of the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) was introduced to strengthen fiscal discipline in Member States. The main rationale for the European Union to safeguard discipline and stability is that a fiscal crisis in one Member States might cause problems to others.

II

The Regulation on preventive arm from 1997 (No 1466/97) after being amended in 2005 and 2011 now requires that Member States improve their structural balances, i.e. headline balances adjusted for cyclical factors and one-offs toward country specific targets called Medium Term Objective (MTO), which for most countries are set between 0.5 % and -1 % of gross domestic product (GDP). This should ensure that the Member States headline deficit does not breach the 3 % of GDP ceiling set in the Treaty. More importantly, it would also ensure convergence within a reasonable time, of public debt ratios in heavily indebted Member States, towards the limit of 60 % of GDP set in the Treaty.

What we audited

III

We audited whether the European Commission had used the authority that it was granted by the Regulation to ensure an adequate implementation of the preventive arm. We also addressed the issue of interaction between the preventive and corrective arm of the SGP to the extent that it is relevant for the former. The Commission was the auditee.

What we found

IV

The Regulation has set a reasonable benchmark for annual convergence towards the MTO of 0.5 percentage points of GDP per year. However, it has allowed deviations from that requirement, and authorised the Commission to grant various flexibility clauses. The effectiveness of the preventive arm therefore depends very much on the way in which the Commission implements it (Part I).

V

The implementation rules decided by the Commission and its operational decisions do not ensure that the main objective of the Regulation is met - i.e. that Member States converge toward MTOs in a reasonable period. (Some of the main implementation rules after announced by the Commission were later endorsed by the Council.)

VI

Implementation rules on flexibility stem from 2005 reforms of the regulation but were not formally operationalised until 2015 when they reflected considerations prompted by the Great recession. Some flexibility in crisis periods was appropriate in principle, but specific provisions were not time–bound and effectively went too far in practice particularly when implemented during more normal times. Moreover, the rules set by the Commission do not distinguish enough between those Member States that do have a high level of debt and others. Instead of tightening the framework as the recovery was progressing, the Commission further weakened it in 2017 by introducing the new “margin of discretion”.

VII

The structural reform allowance is no longer linked to the actual budget costs of the reform, but it is used as an “incentivizing instrument”. All allowances (except for the pension reform) increase spending not only in the particular year for which they are granted, but also in the following years. The cumulative effect of all these allowances have resulted in multi-year delays in effective deadlines for reaching MTOs (Part II).

VIII

The credibility of the preventive arm has been further eroded by the developments in the corrective arm. The Commission considers that the requirements of the corrective arm can be fully met just by cyclical recovery, which is also facilitated by the Commission’s practice of proposing to Council granting multi-year extensions for exiting excessive deficit procedures (EDP). As a result, Member States under EDP do not have to fulfil the requirements for improving their structural balances they would otherwise have to observe if they were under the preventive arm.

IX

Of particular concern is that the weakened SGP framework is unable to ensure progress towards the MTOs in several highly indebted Member States. In the period of recovery and expansion in 2014-2018, their structural balances have either diverged from their MTOs or converged to them at such slow pace that substantial improvement ahead of the next recession is far from being assured. Despite the fact that the weakened framework is not ensuring progress towards MTOs, the Commission has decided that compliance with it is essential for justifying a non-activation of the debt-based EDP (Part III).

X

At the technical level, we found weaknesses and information gaps in the Stability and Convergence Programmes (SCP) submitted by Member States that are not flagged in the Commission’s staff working documents (SWD). In addition, the Commission does not explain clearly the differences between its own assumptions and those of Member States with respect to fiscal measures included in the respective forecasts. Moreover, the methodology used in its assessments is not always in line with the Regulation and may delay preventive warnings (Part IV).

XI

Finally, we found that fiscal country-specific recommendations (CSRs) adopted by Council are based upon the Commission recommendations and reflect the conclusions of underlying technical assessments. However, they do not explain sufficiently the rational for recommended adjustments nor the risks if Member States fail to meet the requirements (Part V).

What we recommend

XII

The framework needs to be tightened in its important components in a coordinated way. First the Commission should address the issue of persistent cumulative deviations from the required adjustment by introducing ex-poste corrections, i.e. additional requirements in the following years. Second, it should review the parameters in the table that sets requirements for adjustment (the so-called “matrix”) so as to ensure that MTOs are reached within a reasonable period of time. Higher requirements should be set for heavily indebted Member States. Third, flexibility clauses should cover only direct costs related to the reforms and unusual events in a particular year.

XIII

We consider that these changes can be achieved with the existing legal framework.

XIV

Commission should explore ways within the legal framework to ensure that the level of structural adjustment required under the preventive arm is also delivered by Member States under the corrective arm.

XV

The Code of Conduct (CoC) should be updated to improve the quality of information required in SCPs on planned fiscal measures. The Commission’s documents should report all differences between forecasts and present assessment conclusions in line with the criteria set in the Regulation. Indicators used should also ensure they provide the earliest possible warnings of deterioration rather than based on most favourable data taken from a mix of past vintages.

XVI

CSRs should contain clear and explicit adjustment requirements in the enacting part of the recommendations and recitals should provide a clearer explanation of the rationale for such adjustments and the risks if these are not implemented.

Introduction

The preventive arm of the Stability and Growth Pact

01

The Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) has established a system of multilateral surveillance over fiscal policies in Member States. It is implemented by the European Commission and Council of the European Union with the objective of ensuring fiscal discipline in Member States. The rationale for the surveillance is that one country’s fiscal policies can adversely affect others. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced in monetary unions. The SGP has a preventive and a corrective arm¹.

02

The surveillance is co-ordinated within the European Semester process, which requires Member States to submit their Stability and Convergence Programmes (SCPs) in spring. SCPs are then assessed by the Commission, and the results of these assessments are published in Commission Staff Working Documents (SWDs). The Council on the basis of Commission’s recommendations issues country specific recommendations (CSRs) in June every year. Member states in the euro area are also required to present Draft Budgetary Plans (DBP) in October which are assessed by the Commission in November (see Figure 1).

03

The main objective of the preventive arm, as set in Council Regulation No 1466/97 was to ensure that Member States rapidly converged towards a close-to-balance or surplus budget position, which would then allow them to deal with normal cyclical fluctuations without breaching the 3 % limit on headline deficit². In 2005, the target position for each Member State was recast in terms of a structural balance (SB)³ which has to converge towards their country-specific medium-term objective (MTO). According to the Regulation, the MTO cannot be below -1 % of the gross domestic product (GDP) for euro area and European Exchange Rate Mechanism 2 Member States. Signatories of the Treaty for Stability Co-ordination and Governance (TSCG) have committed to MTOs of at least -0.5 % of GDP – unless their debt is below 60 % of GDP, in which case the limit remains -1 %⁴. Figure 2 outlines the key steps under the current preventive arm framework.

04

With growth of the EU economies having slowed since 2007 and public debt ratios having increased sharply in many Member States, the preventive arm has gained importance beyond the need to create fiscal space for operation of automatic stabilizers and for discretionary anticyclical fiscal policy⁵. Fast convergence towards the MTOs has become crucial to reduce excessive debt ratios. Even the most indebted Member States would quickly put their debt ratios on a declining path as soon as they reached their MTOs. This prompted the Commission to acknowledge that compliance with the preventive arm is an essential condition for not triggering the debt-based excessive deficit procedure (EDP)⁶.

Audit scope and approach

05

The main audit question was whether the Commission had effectively coordinated the Member State fiscal policies needed for achieving the objectives of the preventive arm of the SGP under its assigned responsibilities for the European Semester.

06

More specifically, we examined:

1. the clarity of the objectives and conditions set in Regulation No 1466/97 to ensure that the Member States with deficits and/or high debt levels (above 60 % of GDP) progressed rapidly towards their MTOs (Part I);
2. the Commission’s implementation of the Regulation, whether it is compliant with the rules and whether operational decisions are effective in relation to preventive arm rules (Part II);
3. the overall rate of progress, particularly of high-debt Member States, towards their MTOs (Part III);
4. the Commission’s work to ensure the submission of comprehensive and adequate SCPs, and to assess their plausibility and compliance with the regulations and the Code of Conduct (CoC) of the SGP, the quality of the Commission’s SWDs and other related country assessments (for example, the DBPs for euro area Member States submitted in the autumn) in terms of whether they report, in a timely and consistent manner, on the most important risks and appropriate policy responses (Part IV);
5. the basis for and relevance of CSRs as well as their monitoring, and level of implementation (Part V);

07

We assessed the effectiveness of the Commission’s implementation of the preventive arm in the period 2011 to 2016 (including the analysis of the spring 2017 SWDs in relation to 2016) and followed the most important developments in 2017 and 2018.

08

We examined the preventive arm in detail for a sample of six Member States (Austria, Belgium, Finland, Hungary, Italy, and the Netherlands). However, for some of the aspects analysed, we also considered other Member States. The six Member States selected included five from the euro area and one from non-euro area. Member States that were already covered under similar audits were excluded (with the exception of Italy⁷) and from the remaining Member States, we selected those that had: the highest level and persistence of SB deficits and debt; or the longest durations under EDP; as well as the highest distance from their MTO (see Annex I).

09

Our audit criteria came from:

1. the requirements of the legal framework, in particular Regulation 1466/97 related to the European Semester;
2. the CoC for the content of the SCPs;
3. the Commission’s rules and procedures, e.g. vade mecums, and other guidelines issued to Member States or internally to the Commission Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs’ (DG EFCIN) staff;
4. documents issued by a number of EU institutions and other international organisations [in particular the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Central Bank (ECB)] or resulting from research to identify best practice.

10

We visited DG ECFIN for an introduction to the rules framework, the rationale behind various operational decisions, and the internal processes involved in assessing Member States’ fiscal plans and ultimately producing CSRs.

11

We interviewed staff from the country desks at DG ECFIN for the six Member States in the sample and reviewed a range of Commission documents, both texts in the public domain and internal records. We also carried out information visits to the six Member States in the sample, where we met the Commission’s counterparts in the respective ministries of finance and economy, representatives from fiscal councils and European Semester Officers at EU representations.

12

We organised an advisory panel of independent experts from academic and research institutions and think tanks, and invited a number of Member States fiscal councils to an internal seminar to share their views on the framework and the various developments they had observed in Member States.

13

We performed analytical tests on the compliance assessment models used by the Commission. We tested whether the models had been structured to reflect the conditions in the regulations, and whether the models were accurate and consistent across Member States and over time.

14

We also tested the impact of certain operational approaches by comparing the outcomes to simulations of alternative interpretations, and re-performed various analyses carried out by country desks, reviewing Member State SCPs, Commission SWDs, internal working papers and other available information to determine whether there was a sound basis for certain observations and recommendations the Commission had made.

Observations

Part I — the regulation set an appropriate pace for converging towards the MTO but included ambiguous provisions

15

To achieve fast convergence towards the MTOs, the Regulation set an average annual SB adjustment benchmark of 0.5 % of GDP, and stated that the benchmark should be higher for Member States with debt exceeding 60 % of GDP⁸.

16

Somewhat contradictorily, the Regulation allows for a relatively large margin of deviation from the benchmark before a Member State is considered non-compliant. Some margin of deviation could be considered appropriate given the uncertainties involved in forecasting and budget execution. But the envisaged margin is large: in one year, the permitted deviation can be 0.5 %, i.e. the same size as the as the benchmark. Over two years, it can be again 0.5 % of GDP in total (i.e. 0.25 % on average in each year). Such a relatively large margin of permitted deviation has created ambiguity about what is actually expected from Member States. Even more importantly, the Regulation does not explicitly set a cumulative limit for such deviations over several years, which could be interpreted to imply that the deviation of little less than 0.25 % can continue indefinitely⁹. This has an important impact on the time it takes a Member State to reach its MTO and, therefore, on the effectiveness of the preventive arm.

17

Furthermore, the Regulation contains a number of conditions and flexibilities which could have an additional impact on the preventive arm’s effectiveness, depending on how they are implemented by the Commission.

18

The Regulation introduced the notion that the SB adjustment should be cycle-dependent, although it implies that some adjustment would still be required in bad times. It requires the Commission and the Council to consider “whether a higher adjustment effort is made in economic good times, whereas the effort might be more limited in economic bad times”¹⁰.

19

Furthermore, the Regulation allows “room for budgetary manoeuvre, considering in particular the need for public investment”¹¹.

20

The Regulation provides for flexibility by requiring the Council and the Commission to “take into account the implementation of major structural reforms which have long-term positive budgetary effects, including by raising potential growth, and therefore a verifiable impact on the long-term sustainability of public finances”¹². To use this flexibility, Member States are required to present “a cost-benefit analysis of major structural reforms which have direct long-term positive budgetary effects” in their SCPs¹³. Requests for flexibility are eligible if the Member State has respected the safety margin to the 3 % reference value and is expected to return to the medium-term budgetary objective “within the programming period”¹⁴. The programme period for the SCPs is, in general, four years, with some countries including a 5^th year in the programme period.

21

The Regulation also specifically allows for deviations due to the direct incremental costs of pension reforms¹⁵. The eligible deviation is strictly linked to budget costs in the first year following the introduction of the reform and any annual incremental costs in subsequent years. Given positive long-term effects of the pension reforms on the fiscal sustainability, this clause is not detrimental for the effectiveness of the Regulation.

22

Finally, the Regulation also provides for deviations resulting from unusual events, beyond the Member State’s control, which have a major impact on their financial position, and from a severe economic downturn in the euro area or the Union as a whole, provided that these deviations do not endanger medium-term fiscal sustainability.

23

While the basic requirements in the Regulation were formulated in terms of improvements to the budget balance and structural balance, the reforms in 2011 introduced in addition an expenditure benchmark (EB). This benchmark requires that the growth path of annual expenditure as defined in Article 5(1)(b) of the Regulation¹⁶ does not exceed a medium-term rate of potential GDP growth, unless the excess is matched by discretionary revenue measures. Additionally, if a Member State is not at its MTO, then annual expenditure growth should be lower than the medium-term rate of potential GDP growth, with the aim of achieving the targeted improvement in the SB.

24

While the two benchmarks (EB and SB benchmark requirement) could, in theory, produce the same results, different compliance results may stem from certain differences, such as the use of a different potential growth rate from the one used for the SB, or the exclusion of interest spending. The expenditure rule does, however, offer some advantages in the ex post assessment of performance¹⁷.

Part II — the Commission has extensively exercised the discretion granted but has not focused on the main objective

Cyclicaly adjusted requirements combined with margin for deviation and margin for discretion do not deliver the benchmark rate of adjustment

25

To differentiate the adjustment according to the position of the economy in the business cycle (referred to as “bad versus good times” in the Regulation), the Commission published a matrix of required adjustments (hereafter referred to as “matrix”) in 2015 that stipulated the required adjustments (see Figure 3). The main criterion for determining good or bad times is the output gap (OG), which has been split into five categories: exceptionally bad times, very bad times, bad times, normal times and good times. The matrix does not envisage any adjustment during “exceptionally bad times”, a concept not mentioned in the Regulation. Member States with debt of less than 60 % of GDP are not required to make any adjustment in “very bad” times and unless growth is above potential even in “bad” times. Although not required by the Regulation, the Commission subsequently reached agreement on the matrix (and other flexibilities, see below) with Member States via the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN)¹⁸.

Figure 3

Matrix for determining the annual fiscal adjustment towards the MTO under the preventive arm of the pact

		Required annual fiscal adjustment*
	Condition	Debt below 60 % and no sustainability risk	Debt above 60 % or sustainability risk
Exceptionally bad times	Real growth <0 or output gap <-4	No adjustment needed
Very bad times	-4 ≤ output gap <-3	0	0.25
Bad times	-3 ≤ output gap < -1.5	0 if growth below potential, 0.25 if growth above potential	0.25 if growth below potential, 0.5 if growth above potential
Normal times	-1.5 ≤ output gap < 1.5	0.5	> 0.5
Good times	output gap ≥ 1.5%	> 0.5 if growth below potential. ≥ 0.75 if growth above potential	≥ 0.75 if growth below potential. ≥ 1 if growth above potential

* All figures are in percentage points of GDP.

Source: COM (2015) 12 final, Annex 2.

26

For situations of negative growth rates and an output gap lower than - 4 %, the matrix uses the words “no adjustment needed”, instead of “zero adjustment”. This might suggest that the different terms were used to allow for a decline in the SB during sharp recessions, although the Commission stated during the audit that they would require a zero adjustment in both cases¹⁹. The large number of different categories relating to “bad times” reflects the fact that the matrix was introduced during a period of deep recession, which might have also affected the values of its parameters.

27

The Commission has made a small and not consistent differentiation in the adjustment requirements for Member States with higher debt ratio (i.e. above the 60 % limit) and other Member States. The requirement for the former is set higher by a quarter of a percentage point in bad and good times, but surprisingly not in normal times. For them, the Commission has simply specified that the requirement should be higher than 0.5 % of GDP. The 2016 Vade Mecum explains that higher than 0.5 % of GDP is “conventionally understood to be 0.6 % of GDP at least”²⁰. While an adjustment of 0.6 % of GDP has been required in normal times, there is no evidence that a requirement higher than this amount has been recommended in normal times for MS with higher debt levels.

28

The matrix draws a distinction depending on whether growth outpaces potential, or not. However, this is done in an inconsistent manner as the requirements are higher by a quarter of a percentage point more in bad and good times if growth is above potential, but in normal times there is no such additional adjustment for low-debt countries, while it is unspecified for high-debt countries. Although it should be easier to implement reforms when growth is fast, i.e. higher than the average or potential growth rate, the Commission argued that they had considered the feasibility of larger adjustments, including their political viability (see also paragraph 50).

29

Before setting the matrix values, the Commission did not analyse how the set parameters, combined with the “significant deviation” defined in the Regulation, could ensure that the Member States reached their MTO in a reasonable time. The matrix was not based on a simulation of whether, under reasonable macroeconomic assumptions, its values would produce an average improvement in the SB of 0.5 pp of GDP over a reasonable period of time. The only analysis done was on the distribution of output gaps, without looking at implications for reaching the MTO.

30

The European Fiscal Board warned that, in the absence of restrictions on cumulative deviation in the Regulation, Member States had an incentive to systematically deviate from the required adjustment towards the MTO, and that some may have planned to do so within the permitted margins²¹.

31

Weakening the framework further, in May 2017 the Commission introduced a “margin of appreciation”, also referred to as the “margin of discretion”²². It announced that it intended to use this margin in cases where the impact of a large fiscal adjustment on growth and employment would be particularly significant²³.

32

In its proposed country-specific recommendations for Italy in May 2017, the Commission stated that the required adjustment would need to be “at least 0.6 % of GDP”, but then added: “As recalled in the Commission Communication accompanying these country-specific recommendations, the assessment of the 2018 Draft Budgetary Plan and subsequent assessment of 2018 budget outcomes will need to take due account of the goal to achieve a fiscal stance that contributes to both strengthening the ongoing recovery and ensuring the sustainability of Italy’s public finances. In that context, the Commission intends to make use of the applicable margin of appreciation in the light of the cyclical situation of Italy.”²⁴

33

In this way, the Commission announced ex ante that a significant deviation from the adjustment set in the CSRs might not trigger a non-compliance assessment. This has reduced the relevance and credibility of the set requirement.

34

Further explaining this new flexibility later in the year, the Commission stated that it could exercise a degree of discretion when assessing compliance with the SGP²⁵. Therefore, even if a Member State was significantly deviating from its required adjustment, the Commission “might eventually conclude” that a significant deviation procedure was not warranted. In this context, the Commission refers to Article 6(3) of 1466/97, claiming that although the overall assessment was linked to precise quantitative criteria, it was not limited to such criteria, allowing the Commission to take other elements into account.

35

Further explanations for using additional relaxation appeared in the Commission’s 2018 overall assessment report on the DBPs. The justification for relaxation is given on the grounds that the recovery still appears fragile or could be jeopardised by a too large fiscal tightening. It is stated that Member States with a debt-to-GDP ratio above 60 % should ensure effective delivery of a “reasonable fiscal adjustment”, which is described by the Commission as roughly half of the requirement from the matrix. The same document sets this reasonable adjustment as the essential criterion for avoiding the debt-based EDP.

36

It should be noted that the latest weakening of requirements has been introduced at a time when the EU and euro area economy has been continuously growing for four years, with growth rates higher than those of potential output. In one case the Commission has justified reducing the adjustment required based on its assessment that recovery is insufficiently robust, but it did not take into account that growth over the past four years (2015-2018), which might appear low, is estimated to have been 1 pp higher than the potential growth rate.

Commission implementation of flexibility, on which it later reached agreement with Member States, leads to long delays in reaching the MTOs and allows for an increase in unrelated expenditure

37

In 2015 the Commission took the position to limit the structural reform clause to 0.5 % of GDP and not to set a limit on the investment clause²⁶. Subsequently ECOFIN²⁷, in agreement with the Commission, set a cumulative limit on combined structural reform and investment allowances at 0.75 % of GDP until a Member State has reached its MTO. No cap has been imposed on the pension reform clause (which is, however, limited to actual costs). No such restriction applies either to the unusual event clause.

38

The investment clause can only be used in a budget year when GDP growth is negative or the negative output gap is greater than 1.5 % of GDP. No such restriction applies to the structural reform clauses (including the pension reform clause). No such restriction applies either to the unusual event clauses.

39

The investment and structural reform allowance can only be granted if a Member State’s structural balance is at a distance to the MTO of at most 1.5 pp of GDP. This restriction does not apply to the pension reform clause. It also does not apply to the unusual event clauses.

40

Table 1 provides an overview of all the approved flexibility clauses in 2013-2017.

Table 1

List of flexibility clauses granted in 2013-2017, in percentage of GDP

MS	Sum of allowed deviation 2013-2017		2013		2014		2015		2016					2017
			Pension	Invest- ment	Pension	Invest- ment	Pension	Refugee	Struc- tural reform	Pension	Invest- ment	Refugee	Security	Struc- tural reform	Pension	Invest- ment	Refugee	Security	Earth- quake
LV	1.20		0.50				0.30			0.30				0.10
IT	1.20							0.03	0.50		0.21	0.06	0.06				0.16		0.18
BG	0.70			0.60		0.10
FI	0.67							0.05				0.17		0.50		0.10	-0.15
SK	0.40					0.40
AT	0.39							0.09				0.25	0.04					0.01
HU	0.22							0.04					0.04					0.14
BE	0.17							0.03				0.08	0.05					0.01
LT	0.10									0.10				0.4*
SL	0.08											0.07					0.01
	Sources: 2013 - 2017 Commission.
		Granted Ex post
		Granted
		To be granted ex-post SF 2018
	*	0.40 granted fully however conditoinal to respecting the Minimum Benchmark. This meant the allowed deviation for LT was of 0.1 in 2017.

Source: Commission.

Implementation of the investment clause

41

In January 2015 the Commission²⁸ took the position that the allowance under the investment clause could be granted when Member States intend to incur national spending on eligible growth-enhancing EU programmes²⁹. Nominal expenditure is then calculated as a percentage of GDP, and the adjustment requirement is reduced by the same percentage of GDP. A condition was imposed that euro value of spending on gross fixed capital formation in the corresponding year should not decline. This was subsequently confirmed by ECOFIN in a “Commonly agreed position on Flexibility the Stability and Growth Pact”³⁰.

42

The current design of the investment clause makes it neither a condition nor an explicit objective for the investment ratio as a share of GDP to increase. In the case of Italy, the Commission reported that, even with the granted investment allowance, the country’s budget spending on gross fixed capital formation would, in fact, remain broadly stable relative to GDP³¹.

43

As the expenditure relating to the approved investment clause will reduce the SB in the year for which the allowance has been approved, this will affect the path of structural balances in the following years, and the time for converging to the MTO will therefore be extended, all else being equal. As a result, the investment allowance in one year will increase overall permitted spending in the following years, independently of the level of investment spending in those years. There is no condition requiring that levels of increased investment are sustained in subsequent years. This can also be seen in the Commission’s description of the effects of the investment clause³² (see Figure 4).

44

To avoid lengthening the convergence time, in the years that follow the Commission would need to increase the adjustment from the matrix by a full or pro-rated amount of the approved investment allowance (and the same applies to structural reform and unusual event allowances, see below). However, the Commission is not applying this approach. It explained during the audit that additional adjustments relative to the matrix would create a stop-start adjustment pattern and could lead to large adjustments which might be considered punitive or deter Member States from implementing structural reforms.

45

In its description of the effects of the investment clause³³, the Commission shows that the convergence time will increase, but claims that the effect of the allowances will have been eliminated by the last year of the programme period. Its calculation is based on the assumption that the average adjustment will amount to 0.5 pp of GDP per year, and that the Member State’s initial distance to the MTO is 1.5 % of GDP. Without the investment allowance, the MTO would be reached in 3 years at that pace. With the investment allowance of 0.5 % of GDP another year would be needed. On this basis, the Commission claims that even without compensatory measures in the following years, the effects of clauses will have been eliminated by the end of the programme period (see Figure 4).

46

However, in reality the average 0.5 % adjustment is not achieved owing, among other factors, to the significant deviation margin. The extension in the convergence time will therefore be much longer. It will be further extended when the effects of other allowances (reform and unusual events) are taken into account. In the case of one country, the cumulative non-pension allowances for all purposes reached 1.2 % of GDP in 2015-17 (see Table 1).

47

The effect is that the approved investment allowance leads to increased overall spending in the subsequent years, regardless of what happens to the level of investment spending. The total increase in current spending can therefore surpass the approved investment allowance several times over, until the MTO is finally reached³⁴.

Implementation of the structural reform clause

48

As with the investment clause, the structural reform allowance results in an increase in permitted spending not only in the year for which it is approved but also in subsequent years (when compared to the original path), and therefore lengthens the convergence time for reaching the MTO.

49

The Commission decided that the structural reform allowance does not need to correspond to the actual budgetary costs of implementing the reform³⁵. The Regulation on the other hand clearly requires that a cost-benefit analysis is needed for reform to qualify for the allowance³⁶. For major pension system reforms, it clearly indicates that the allowance should be limited to actual costs.

50

Instead, the Commission exercises discretion in setting the level of the allowance (within the limits approved by ECOFIN), as long as the reform is expected to have a long-term impact on growth and therefore positive budget impacts, despite such effects being much more difficult to measure than the actual budget costs of the reform. In this way, the “standard reform allowance” acts as an incentive for reforms rather than an instrument to cover their costs³⁷.

51

However, the Commission has many other policy instruments to encourage Member States to implement structural reforms, including its budgetary resources.

52

The Commission will apply the clause in the ex post assessment if the planned reforms are fully implemented³⁸. When clauses are granted ex ante, the CSR states that if the planned reform is fully implemented, the ex post assessment of compliance deducts the clause from the fiscal requirement³⁹. In the case of Italy in spring 2017, the Commission granted the permitted deviation but did not transparently assess whether all reforms presented in Italy’s National Reform Programme of 2015, for which flexibility had been asked, were fully implemented. In the Country Report 2017 some reforms are reported as not implemented (e.g. of the 2015 competition law bill was not adopted).

53

We found a lack of sufficient information and assessment (both ex ante and ex post) by the Commission of the direct fiscal costs and the long-term benefits underpinning certain clauses. For example, Italy was granted two structural reform clauses for a total of 0.5 % of GDP in 2016; however, the deviation did not correspond to verifiable direct and indirect fiscal costs for the reforms as estimated by Italy. In 2016 the deviation was twice as large as the costs and no costs were forecast in the adjustment period (2017-2019).

54

We further found that the Commission had insufficiently estimated the economic impact related to the clauses. Examples of simulations using the QUEST model⁴⁰ do exist but, in some cases, the Commission should have requested more analysis and justification from Member States where they had provided insufficient information. In the case of Italy’s structural reform clause of 0.4 % of GDP from 2016, the national authorities estimated the long-term positive GDP impacts of the reforms and provided them to the Commission. In spring 2015 the Commission assessed that the authorities’ forecasted positive impacts on GDP to be ‘plausible’. However, we did not obtain sufficient evidence to substantiate the Commission’s checks. Afterwards, the Commission produced its own impact estimates in December 2015 and revised them in April 2016, in part due the long-term nature of the projections and the related uncertainties of certain assumptions. No estimates were produced at the time of the ex post assessment of the clause (i.e. in Spring 2017). These estimates are indicative at best and generally uncertain, making them inadequate to serve as a criterion for assessing ex post the eligibility of clauses. As regards the investment clause granted to Italy (0.25 % of GDP), the impact on GDP had not been estimated.

The implementation of the unusual events clause

55

Flexibility is allowed for deviations due to unusual events such as a refugee influx, natural disasters or security threats⁴¹. The Commission must assess whether such events justify flexibility or not. The related clauses do not have a ceiling.

56

As with investment and structural reform clauses, the Commission does not increase adjustment requirements in the years after granting the clause, so as to offset the increase in spending due to the unusual event. The time for achieving the MTO is therefore further prolonged.

57

When assessing the expenditure allowed under the clauses, we found that certain preventive expenditure had been allowed ex ante (for example, preventive action on public buildings in Italy in 2017), despite deviating from the principle in the Vade Mecum requiring that it relate directly to the event⁴². In its replies, the Commission argues that if this expenditure were not incurred, it would be excluded ex post. We believe that, in this particular event, it should have been considered ineligible since it was not directly linked to the actual event.

Selection of the most favourable indicators from several vintages

58

Another relaxation of the framework stems from the use of the most favourable data from several vintages for making decisions at various points of the procedure, instead of the latest available, which are the most reliable. The most favourable in this context means indicators requiring the smallest adjustment. Selection of the most favourable vintages occurs: when calculating the distance of the SB from the MTO and when the adjustment requirement is set and subsequently frozen.

59

The Commission measures the distance to the MTO in a given year by comparing the MTO with the SB of the previous year, doing so by using the most favourable of different vintages, instead of comparing it with the SB of that year. For Member States at their MTO yet with a worsening SB, a delay of one year may occur when assessing a Member State using this approach.

Use of one-sided freezing

60

Once set in the spring of the previous year, requirements are frozen, i.e. never revised upwards, even when data revisions indicate an improvement in economic conditions. For example, in assessing the DBPs in November 2017, the Commission could have taken into account the improved macroeconomic prospects. By contrast, they are revised downwards if an economic situation deteriorates into very bad times.

61

Furthermore, in the assessments of spring 2014, spring 2015 and spring 2016, the Commission selected the most favourable indicators from a mix of vintages that were not comparable since they were based on the European System of Integrated Economic Accounts (ESA) 95 and 2010. During this transitional phase, the mixing of such vintages may have led to diverging positions from those that would have emerged had the indicators used been based on a common standard.

The cumulative effect of clauses and the significant deviation margin prevents attainment of the MTO in a reasonable time

62

When the benchmark for annual convergence of 0.5 pp of GDP was set, the average SB of Member States with a deficit was 2.9 % of GDP⁴³, and their average MTO was -0.5 % of GDP. This implied that the MTO would be reached in about five years, assuming average macroeconomic conditions in that period. This would be also roughly the convergence time for Member States exiting the EDP, assuming that the headline balance and SB coincide at that point (see Box 1).

63

However, taking into account the average significant deviation of 0.25 % of GDP over two consecutive years, a Member State could double its convergence time while still being considered compliant.

64

Flexibility clauses for investment and structural reforms have been limited to 0.75 pp of GDP. With an average fiscal effort of 0.25pp per year⁴⁴, the convergence time would lengthen by another three years⁴⁵.

65

Flexibility clauses relating to unusual events are not limited; in the case of Italy, they have reached 0.5 pp of GDP. This will lengthen the convergence time by another two years, assuming the same conditions as above.

66

Finally, as experience has shown, any recession would set the clock back. Within the long time frame for achieving the MTO permitted in the framework, a recession is quite likely. The relatively shallow recession in 2000-2002 (average growth rates in the euro area did not turn negative), for example, led to a decline in the euro area structural balance of about 1.2 % of GDP. Such recessions would further prolong the period for reaching the MTO. With the time for reaching the MTO extended, more than one recession might become possible.

67

Chart 1 illustrates the cumulative effect of the matrix, significant deviation margin, all clauses (except the pension reform clause) and a possible recession on the time for achieving the MTO. Except for the effects of recession, other effects shown in the Chart 1 broadly correspond to those already incurred in practice.

68

Finally, the latest introduction of the new “margin of discretion” has opened a new window to reduce requirements by halving the matrix requirement. A Member State with a debt exceeding 60 % of GDP in normal times would see its requirement in the matrix reduced from 0.6 % to 0.3 %. Moreover, unless it had applied a significant deviation margin of more than 0.25 % of GDP in the previous year, the Member State would then be able to further reduce this requirement by 0.24 % of GDP, practically avoiding any adjustment despite being in “normal times”.

69

When defining the matrix, introducing all these allowances and approving them for specific Member States, the Commission did not analyse the effects of the allowances on a Member State’s prospects for reaching the MTO in a reasonable time (see Box 1), which is the main objective of the Regulation. The Commission stated that it had intentionally focused on annual changes in the SB because of uncertainties in forecasting macroeconomic developments. Simulations provided by the Commission and annexed in the Vade Mecum, are not realistic as they assume convergence at the benchmark rate of 0.5 % annually when in reality this changes in accordance to the Matrix and is further reduced by the allowed deviation margin. This short-sighted approach prevents proper assessment of the effects of allowances on achieving the main objective of the Regulation.

70

Altogether the matrix, the significant deviation margin, the various flexibility clauses and the latest margin of discretion have led to a much weaker framework. Specifically, convergence towards the MTOs for Member States that apply all the flexibility clauses could be extended to an extremely long period. This would put Member States with high debt in a precarious position in the next recession, and would also postpone reduction in their debt ratio.

Information value of outer year projections in SCPs

71

Most of the Member States under the preventive arm show in their SCPs that they would reach the MTO by the fourth year, or at least make considerable progress towards it⁴⁶. This is in line with expectations expressed by the Commission in its document “The best use of flexibility…”⁴⁷. However, most progress is projected to be achieved in the last two years of the programme period (see Chart 2)⁴⁸.

72

SB projections are revised every year. For example, most early projections for SB in 2018, made in 2014 and 2015, are far more optimistic than those made in later years, i.e. 2016 and 2017 (see Table 2). Such downward revisions cannot be attributed to worsening macroeconomic prospects since these have actually improved.

Table 2

Targeted SB for 2018 in the 2014-2017 SCPs for a sample of Member States, in percentage of GDP

	AT	BE	FI	IT	HU	NL	ES	FR	PT
SCP 2014	-0.3%		0.3%	0.0%					-0.2%
SCP 2015	-0.5%	0.0%	-2.6%	0.1%	-1.6%	-0.5%	-0.2%	-0.1%	-0.4%
SCP 2016	-0.5%	0.0%	-1.4%	-0.8%	-1.7%	-0.6%	-1.9%	-0.3%	-0.8%
SCP 2017	-0.8%	-0.4%	-1.1%	-0.7%	-2.4%	0.3%	-2.0%	-0.5%	-1.1%

Source: SCPs 2014-2017 for AT, BE, FI, IT, HU, NL, ES, FR, PT.

73

In its 2015 communication on flexibility, the Commission stated that “the Member State must compensate for any temporary deviations and the MTO must be reached within the four-year horizon of its current Stability or Convergence Programme”⁴⁹. This sentence appears in the section dealing with the effects of the flexibility clauses, but seems to suggest that all Member States have to reach the MTO by the end of the SCP programme period.

74

A similar sentence appears in the same context in Article 5(1), which says that “the budgetary position is expected to return to the medium-term budgetary objective within the programme period”.

75

However, the Commission does not hold Member States accountable for such revisions, nor does it try to enforce the original target. It has also not designed the matrix in such a way that all Member States, regardless of where they are relative to the MTO, would reach it in the fourth year of the programme period. The persistent overestimates of the structural balances 2-3 years ahead show that the outer year projections in the SCPs have limited information value (see Table 2).

Part III — progress towards the MTOs came to a halt as soon as market pressure subsided and several indebted countries are not on the path to achieve the MTO in a reasonable time

No progress towards the MTOs on average in recent years

76

Between 2011 and 2014 fiscal consolidation in Member States was driven by market pressures. Once these pressures subsided and GDP growth returned in 2014, the SGP framework weakened by implementation acts was not capable of ensuring further improvement in the structural balances, particularly among Member States in weak fiscal position. In the Eurozone, after 2014 structural balance remained basically unchanged, while the structural primary balance on average worsened by about 1pp of GDP. Member States spent all the savings coming from lower interest rates (see Chart 3).

77

In several large euro zone countries (Spain, Italy and France), which are far from their MTOs, the structural balance and even more the structural primary balance worsened substantially (see Chart 4).

Source: AMECO, March 2018.

78

The number of Member States that have achieved their MTO, increased from 3 in 2011 to 12 in 2014 under market pressures despite the adverse economic conditions at that time. After that, progress in that respect also came to a halt, despite the fact that growth returned (see Chart 5). Only about half of Member States are currently at their MTO.

79

Figure 5 presents the rate of progress in structural balance for Members States not at their MTO based on the Autumn forecast data 2017. On average, these 13 countries do not show progress over the four years between 2014 and their latest forecast for 2018. Seven in fact reported a deterioration in their structural balance and only six member states registered improvement. The average worsening was somewhat higher than the average improvement.

Figure 5

Convergence or divergence of Member States towards their MTO from 2014 to 2018

Member States not at MTO	MTO	Distance to MTO	Structural Balance (% of PGDP)		∆SB	SB Deteriorating	SB Improving
	2017 SCPs	(SB 2017 - MTO)	2014	2018	(2018-2014)
Romania	-1.0	-2.3	-0.4	-4.3	-3.9
Estonia	-0.5	-0.6	0.0	-1.4	-1.4
Hungary	-1.5	-1.7	-2.2	-3.6	-1.4
Italy	0.0	-2.1	-1.0	-2.0	-1.0
Latvia	-1.0	-0.8	-1.0	-1.8	-0.8
Austria	-0.5	-0.4	-0.8	-1.0	-0.2
Portugal	0.25	-2.1	-1.7	-1.8	-0.1
Finland	-0.5	-0.5	-1.5	-1.4	0.1
Poland	-1.0	-1.1	-2.8	-2.3	0.5
Slovenia	0.25	-1.9	-2.2	-1.6	0.6
Slovakia	-0.5	-1.1	-2.2	-1.2	1.0
Belgium	0.0	-1.5	-2.9	-1.5	1.4
Ireland	-0.5	-0.8	-4.0	-0.5	3.5
Number of MS.						7	6
Share of total MS which are not at their MTO.						54%	46%

Source: Commission Autumn Forecast 2017, SCPs 2017, Assessment of the DBPs for 2018.

80

Moreover, in 2016 the Commission’s position papers on the euro area fiscal stance began recommending fiscal expansion⁵⁰, despite the fact that the output gap started to close rapidly after 2013 and will turn positive in 2018 (see Chart 6)⁵¹. Such recommendations could have weakened the case for fiscal consolidation in Member States not at MTO.

81

The poor adjustment effort made by Member States under the preventive arm and not yet at MTO can also be seen by comparing the requirements for the adjustment in SB set in the matrix with the actual adjustment. Chart 7 shows the rate of progress in the structural balance for those Member States which are not at their MTO. Very few countries meet the requirements from the matrix, and the majority does not. On the basis of preliminary data, in 2017 only two Member States seem to have been compliant with the matrix, whereas after taking into consideration the most recent updates of structural balance indicators from the Spring 2018 forecast, it seems that in view of the growth registered in a number of Member States during 2017, more than half of the same Member States will be compliant to their MTO ex post.

82

The effectiveness of the preventive arm has also been undermined by developments in the corrective arm since 2014. Spain under the corrective arm experienced a large deterioration in its structural balance in period after 2014, while France and Portugal achieved only very slow progress (see Table 3)⁵².

Table 3

Measuring the number of years needed to reach the MTO for Euro area MS with high levels of debt to GDP in 2017

Member State	Average change in SB (2014-2018)	MTO	Distance to MTO	Number of years needed to reach the MTO
		(SPs 2017)	(SB 2017- MTO2017)	(based on SB for 2017 and average adjustment for 2014-2018)
Belgium	0.3	0.0	-1.5	5.0
Ireland	0.8	-0.5	-0.8	0.9
Spain	-0.3	0.0	-3.1	No convergence
France	0.1	-0.4	-2.0	14.9
Italy	-0.2	0.0	-2.1	No convergence
Portugal	0.2	0.25	-2.1	8.7

Note: The outcome of the structural balance for Portugal and France in 2017 and the projection for 2018 have been revised upwards significantly in the Spring 2018 forecast.

Source: SB - AMECO 2017; MTO set by Member States using Spring Forecast 2017 revised in 2016 to be applied in 17-19; Distance from MTO and Years to MTO based on ECA calculations.

83

Moreover, the Commission does not apply the preventive arm requirements to Member States under the corrective arm, although there is no clear legal stipulation to that effect. The Commission’s interpretation is that the corrective arm allows the headline deficit to be brought below 3 % by cyclical recovery alone, with no obligatory improvement in the structural balance. At the same time, for several Member States the Commission has recommended repeated multi-year extensions of deadlines for exiting the excessive deficit procedure (EDP), much longer than envisaged in the Treaties. As a result, Member States under the corrective arm do not have to fulfil the requirements they would otherwise have to observe if they were under the preventive arm. The Commission at one point sought consent of Member States to address these inconsistencies, but the issue has not been resolved.

Particularly weak results seen in the most highly indebted Member States

84

Movements in budgetary balances and debt ratios in the individual Member States of a monetary union are much more important than those in aggregate or average indicators⁵³. This is because incentives for fiscal discipline are weaker in a monetary union, as countries do not have to watch their own balance of payment positions, yet the negative external effects of their fiscal policies on related countries are larger.

85

For this reason, the most important developments are in the highly indebted EU countries (which we consider as those with a debt ratio above 90 %). Moreover, it is important to also look at Member States under the corrective SGP arm in this period (2014-2018). It is logical to assume that the criteria for the preventive arm should provide a floor for the adjustment requirements under the corrective arm. In that sense the former are relevant for the latter. The picture that arises is a cause for concern (see Chart 8).

86

The success story is Ireland, which has improved its SB by substantially more than required by the matrix. It is also set to reach its MTO in 2018 and its debt-to-GDP ratio is declining fast⁵⁵. Cyprus is at its MTO in 2018.This, combined with the recovery, set its debt ratio on a downward trajectory, albeit a slow one⁵⁶ (see Chart 9).

87

Belgium has made some progress towards its MTO, but much less than required by the matrix. By end-2018, it is forecast to be still approximately 1.5 pp away from the MTO, which has recently been revised down. Assuming that in the coming years it continues to adjust at the average rate for 2014-2018, it will need 5 years to reach the MTO (see also Table 3).

88

Portugal’s SB has, on average, improved only slightly in this period, and remains some 2 pp of GDP away from MTO, although the latest Spring Forecast 2018 update indicates a significant improvement in Structural balance for 2017. If 2017 was an exception year and the previous years are indicative of the average speed of adjustment, it would need almost 9 years to reach the MTO. If the more recent structural balance improvements reported in the Spring 2018 forecast can be sustained and continue to exceed the matrix requirements, it would reach its MTO within a more reasonable time frame.

89

But of concern are the developments in three large countries: Italy, France and Spain. Here the adjustments were substantially below the requirements of the matrix, and at that pace it will not facilitate convergence towards MTOs in a reasonable time. In our view, large deviations of adjustment in fiscal balances for Member States under the corrective arm, differently from those under the preventive arm, are of material importance for the credibility of the overall SGP framework.

90

France, under the corrective arm, has hardly improved its SB in 2014-2018 (Table 3). With a distance to the MTO of 2.7 pp of GDP at end-2018, and assuming the average adjustment speed from 2014-2018, it will need 15 years to reach the MTO. France’s debt to GDP continued to increase in this period.

91

Italy (under the preventive arm) and Spain (under the corrective arm) experienced a large deterioration in their structural balances in the same period, and are now far from the MTO: Italy by 2 pp and Spain by more than 3 pp. They have not achieved progress in debt reduction, despite the expansion of their economies.

92

In the case of France and Spain – both under the EDP, the Commission had extended the deadline for exiting the EDP several times⁵⁷, while the taking position that “an EDP cannot be stepped up if the Member State achieves its intermediate headline deficit targets, even if the policy commitments have not been delivered”⁵⁸. As a result, in 2014-2017 the structural balance in Spain worsened by 1.7 pp of GDP, the one in France improved very little.

93

In that period, in all three large countries, growth was outpacing potential and the output gap closing. The latter is projected to be positive in Italy and Spain in 2018, and only slightly negative in France (see Chart 10, 11 and 12). The three countries have additionally issued more than half of total euro area public debt.

94

The ECB recently noted the absence of progress in fiscal consolidation in indebted euro area countries. In its 2017 Financial Stability Review, it observed: “…improving headline balances mask underlying fiscal vulnerabilities and an overall slight loosening in the fiscal stance for the euro area over the 2017-19 horizon. Fiscal efforts continue to fall short of commitments under the Stability and Growth Pact in several euro area countries (see Chart 8). The projected deterioration of structural balances in 2017-19 in a number of countries may further challenge compliance with the medium-term objectives”⁵⁹.

Mixed performance in Member States with debt levels between 70-90 % in 2014-2018

95

In this group, two countries surpassed the requirements from the matrix: Germany and Croatia. Austria and, to a lesser extent, the United Kingdom have come close to meeting their requirements. Slovenia did not adjust on average, while Hungary has implemented a highly expansionary fiscal policy (see Chart 13).

96

The Member States that adjusted their structural balances have also seen a substantial reduction in their debt ratios: Germany’s debt dropped by 14 pp of GDP, Austria’s by 8 pp and Croatia’s by 9 pp. The reduction in the debt level was small in the United Kingdom, reflecting the high starting structural deficit, although it improved substantially in this period. On average, debt reduction in this group was substantially higher than in the group of highly indebted Member States (with exception of Ireland in that group) (see Chart 14).

A sharp worsening in two Member States with low debt

97

Romania, with a low debt level of 39.4 % of GDP was above its MTO in 2014, but is now heading towards an exceptional worsening in SB by about 4 pp of GDP from 2014 to 2018. For the first time, the Commission launched a significant deviation procedure in May 2017, and stepped it up in November 2017.

98

Estonia, with a debt level of only 10.7 % of GDP in 2014, was above its MTO in 2014. It has seen its SB decline by 1.4 pp of GDP from 2014 to 2018, mostly in 2017. The Commission considers the factors contribution to this decline to be very different in nature from those of Romania given the overall fiscal situation in both Member States including the exceptionally low level of public debt (9.1 % of GDP in 2018) in Estonia.

An imbalance between sustainability and cyclical considerations

99

In its recent communications on the newly introduced margin of appreciation, the Commission has stressed the importance of balancing fiscal sustainability and anticyclical considerations in setting fiscal targets⁶⁰. However, a recent analysis by the Commission itself showed that this is not being done in highly indebted Member States (those with sustainability risk on the right side of the Chart 15). In these countries the output gap is effectively closed or is even positive, but fiscal effort to improve fiscal sustainability is missing⁶¹.

Part IV - the Commission could improve certain technical aspects of assessments

Optimistic bias in Commission forecasts for real GDP growth and investment for year t and t+1

100

The Commission regularly carries out statistical checks on the accuracy of its own forecasts, having done so in 2007, 2012 and 2016. Its analysis shows that its forecasts are generally accurate and comparable to those from other international institutions, such as the IMF and OECD.

101

However, the 2016 study⁶² found that the Commission had, on average, overestimated year-ahead real GDP forecasts in the 2000-2014 period by +0.54 pp. This type of bias is also confirmed in the extended sample for 1969-2014 (i.e. +0.33 pp).

102

At Member State level, the bias for Italy is statistically significant, at 1 % level for both current-year and year-ahead GDP forecasts, while the biases for Denmark, France and Portugal are significant at 5 % level for year-ahead forecasts. This relatively large bias appears in spring current-year forecasts and autumn year-ahead forecasts. It substantially affects, for example, the projection for debt dynamics; in the case of one country, the average optimistic bias of 1.1 % resulted in an underestimate of the debt-to-GDP ratio of the year ahead forecasts by 1.4 pp of GDP.

103

Despite the identified biases, we have not been able to identify what corrective action the Commission has taken to prevent the bias from recurring in future.

Assessment of the information included in SCPs

104

The information included in the SCPs of the sampled Member States generally followed the requirements of the Code of Conduct (CoC) and the Regulation. In particular, they contained information on the fiscal targets for the entire programme horizon and on the fiscal measures to achieve them. However, in certain cases, requirements were not followed. We found that the Commission assessments of the sampled SCPs were not systematic in presenting these information gaps (see Box 2).

105

The Commission assessments flag deficiencies in the specification of fiscal measures in the SCPs (see results of sample in Annex I). Before 2011, the Commission produced a specific assessment of the quality of the SCPs based on the requirements of the CoC (see, for example, the annex to the SWDs in 2009 and 2010). From 2011 onwards there is, however, no similar annex.

Reporting the level of deviation by the Commission correct but confusing

106

We found that the deviation calculations had been correctly estimated in the assessments. The significant deviation assessments are also correct and mainly documented in SWDs. However, in its SWDs, the Commission presents a table showing conclusions on the level of deviation based on comparisons of the two pillars (for 1-year and 2-year average estimates). Although the table compares conclusions from the two pillars, it is confusing in the way it presents the results on compliance for each respective pillar.

Our technical testing where no major issues were identified

107

We tested technical aspects of the preventive arm procedures. No major issues were identified for most of these aspects. The Commission in agreement with Members States issued the CoC in 2012 and 2016 in order to “stipulate the exact nature of the SCP information” required by the Regulation (in particular Articles 3.2 and 7.2). We found it in line with the requirements of the Regulation.

108

The Commission issued a Vade Mecum for the SGP in 2012, 2016 and 2017. We reviewed whether the approaches described in the editions for 2016 and 2017 reflected the requirements in the Regulation. We identified a number of exceptions, as explained below.

• The Regulation asks for the most up-to-date economic data and the Commission uses the most favourable data from mixed vintages to determine the position with respect to the MTO. This in turn determines whether an adjustment is required in a given year. Additionally asymmetric freezing is applied in setting the adjustment requirements from the matrix when the distance of the structural balance to the MTO exceeds the requirement derived from the matrix. Similarly, the reference rate in the EB in year t is based on the spring forecast projections of year t-1 and it is not updated for subsequent forecast. Such approaches lead to delayed warnings during periods of SB worsening (see paragraph 59) or changes in factors underlying the composition of the reference rate. Moreover, the Commission measures the distance to the MTO in a given year by comparing it with the SB of the previous, and not with current year (see paragraph 60).
• The Commission deducts “smoothing of investments netted out of EU funds for investments” in computing the government expenditure in the EB. As a result, the expenditure estimate of a specific year does not accurately capture a government’s capital investment in a given year. Such smoothing is not foreseen in the Regulation.

109

We tested whether the internal guidelines provided to country desks and spreadsheets used for assessments were in line with the approaches described in the Vade Mecum. We found Commission assessment workings to be in line with the Vade Mecum, with the exception of its testing of the position relative to the MTO using the most favourable SB from past vintages.

110

We tested whether the SCPs in the audit sample had information gaps as regards the requirements of the CoC. We found that the Commission’s SCP assessments were not systematic in presenting these gaps.

111

SWDs provide relevant information on Member States’ fiscal commitments, their respective measures, and compliance with the preventive arm rules. We identified room for improvement in describing the measures taken and the impact considered in the Commission’s forecast (aside from that planned by the Member States in their SCPs). A table in the SWDs which explains differences more clearly would be useful.

112

Member States agreed to a common EU method for estimating the potential output. However, certain Member States also produce their own estimates based on methodologies which differ from the common EU method which is used as the basis for the preventive arm assessments. Different methodology leads at times to different estimates which in turn may also lead to a different structural balance estimate. Having reviewed various studies comparing the Commission’s potential output estimates with those prepared by others, we found that the EU approach performs well compared to similar estimates (e.g. OECD or IMF).

113

Moreover, in 2016 the Commission introduced a plausibility tool to assess situations where estimated output gaps of specific years are subject to a large degree of uncertainty. This is a pilot project being carried out over the next two years to take into account any factors which Member States consider relevant to their potential output estimates. This approach of maintaining an open dialogue on addressing issues of plausibility within the context of a common approach is appropriate.

114

We tested the spreadsheets and formulas used, and re-performed a number of assessments to test the accuracy of the workings. We also reviewed a sample of the data used by the Commission in its assessments and found that it matched corresponding sources, such as data from AMECO, the Statistical Office of the EU (EUROSTAT) or the SCPs. No issues emerged, except for the way the transition from ESA 95 to ESA 2010 had been addressed and the manner in which vintages of data had been used in the assessment (see paragraph 62).

115

We found that the minimum MTOs were calculated according to the approach described in the Vade Mecum. We also verified whether all Member State MTOs were at or above the minimum MTO and found them all to be compliant, with the exception of Slovenia in 2016-2017 (for the years 2017-2019). This had no impact on the Commission’s assessment outcome.

116

We tested the sensitivity of the minimum MTOs to underlying variables and found that they were mostly sensitive to large changes in semi-elasticity, large debt shocks and ageing costs. We observed, however, that the minimum MTOs did not take into account other factors affecting debt, such as stock flow adjustments.

117

We also tested the assessment workings to check that the parameters from the matrix had been correctly applied. During the transition to the new matrix, parameters from the old matrix were retained for the spring 2015 assessment and only applied for Member States of which the SB had deteriorated, instead of making adjustments for all Member States. The Commission did not manage transitions between the rules in a consistent manner.

Part V - CSRs reflect underlying assessment conclusions but require more clarity

CSRs reflect the results of the assessments carried out, but their relevance may change if conditions alter

118

The final fiscal CSRs adopted by the Council are based on the Commission’s recommendations. Written in a legal form, they call on Member States to address identified risks of significant deviation, and specify the adjustment required for the SB and expenditure growth.

119

We found that fiscal CRS relating to the preventive arm were in line with the assessment conclusions contained in the SWDs.

120

In our opinion the recommendations are published early enough in the year (July) to give Member States the chance to respond in their annual budgetary process. Most Member States discuss, fine-tune and adopt the budgets for the subsequent year in the autumn. Up to that point, macroeconomic and budgetary conditions may change, whereas the CSR in force remains that set earlier in the year. Significant changes in conditions may affect the relevance of the CSRs.

CSR formulations published in 2017 became less clear and enforceable

121

The relevance of CSRs also depends on their clarity and credibility in terms of whether they can be monitored and enforced on an ex post basis. During the audit, the Commission proposed the CSRs for 2018 with the numerical requirements in the recitals rather than in the enacting part. The Commission considers both the recitals and the enacting part to be equally binding and enforceable, which is not being generally understood by public.

122

The ECB in this context recently pointed out: “The Commission’s fiscal policy recommendations depart from those in the past in two respects. First, only the recitals of the recommendations, rather than the enacting parts, specify the size of the structural adjustment that the Council recommends governments make to ensure full compliance with the SGP. It is usually the enacting parts that should provide clear ex ante guidance to governments on how to conduct public finances over the next 12-18 months. They also serve as a guide to parliaments and the public and as a reference for transparent ex post assessments of compliance with the SGP. It is therefore important that the fiscal guidance is fully incorporated, including in governments’ draft budgetary plans for 2018, in order to ensure sufficient progress towards sound public finances”⁶³.

123

The ECB also pointed out that “…for all countries with structural adjustment requirements of 0.5 % of GDP and above in 2018, irrespective of their level of government debt, the recitals state that “the assessment of the 2018 Draft Budgetary Plan and subsequent assessment of 2018 budget outcomes will need to take due account of the goal to achieve a fiscal stance that contributes to both strengthening the ongoing recovery and ensuring the sustainability of [the respective Member State’s] public finances”. This could imply reductions in structural adjustment requirements over and above those granted under the existing flexibility provisions in the SGP (as communicated by the Commission in January 2015). Going forward, it is important that a consistent implementation of the rules-based SGP is ensured”⁶⁴.

124

Such guidance communicated by the Commission may lead to a situation where the two objectives, of strengthening the on-going recovery on the one hand and ensuring the sustainability of public finances on the other hand, lead to very asymmetric conclusions: one prompting a Member State to spend more on growth-enhancing measures and the other restricting such increases in expenditure. It could also imply lower requirements than those determined by the SGP rules framework (the combination of matrix and clauses).

125

To better convey the logic of the proposed recommendations, the Commission should provide a summary of the underlying assessment and explain the importance of implementing the recommendations, as well as point out risks if they are not implemented. In the past, each CSR was supported by one recital setting out the underlying rationale. However, after the latest changes, the recitals have ceased to explain the rationale behind the CSRs.

Commission sufficiently monitors the implementation of fiscal CSRs

126

The Commission monitors the implementation of the CSRs on the basis of a variety of inputs, with more focus on monitoring activity in the last quarter of the year. Given the extensive analysis, available data, and number of information visits and exchanges between Member States and the Commission, we consider this as sufficient monitoring and follow up of developments in Member States.

Conclusions and recommendations

The main objective of the preventive arm has not been delivered

127

The preventive arm is intended to ensure that EU Member States maintain their fiscal position at their respective medium-term objectives (MTOs) to ensure a sustainable fiscal position and provide fiscal space in cases of recession. Moreover, by reaching their MTOs, Member States with high debt would ensure that their debt ratios started declining in line with the requirements under the debt-based corrective arm of the SGP. This is all crucial for avoiding a disruptive fiscal crisis in the EU and, even more importantly, in the monetary union (paragraphs 4 to 5).

128

The Regulation set a reasonable benchmark for annual convergence towards the MTO of 0.5 pp of GDP per year; but it also introduced the concept of significant deviation which is interpreted as an allowed deviation margin. Furthermore, it granted wide discretionary powers to the Commission to adjust the requirements (paragraphs 16 to 17, 32 to 37).

129

The Commission has exercised these discretionary powers very extensively with a view to reduce adjustment requirements, both in setting the implementation rules and in individual decisions. However, as a result, the Commission has not ensured meeting of the Regulation’s main objective: convergence towards the MTOs in a reasonable period of time (paragraphs 63 to 71).

130

The adjustment requirements and parameters, as specified in the so-called matrix, and the numerous flexibility clauses were set when the main concern was the EU’s second recession in 2012. Flexibility in such a situation was appropriate in principle, but has gone too far in practice (paragraphs 26 to 71). In particular, it did not distinguish enough between those Member States with debt problems and others (paragraphs 85 to 97, 100). Furthermore, the approved matrix parameters and the various flexibility clauses were not time-bound to these specific circumstances (paragraphs 77 to 82).

131

Instead of tightening the framework, the Commission has recently weakened it further for example by introducing the new margin of discretion in 2017 (paragraphs 32 to 37, 69 and 79).

132

As a result, the current framework does not ensure convergence towards the MTOs at a reasonable pace during normal times. On average, it has not facilitated progress towards the MTOs in the recent recovery period, despite the fact that growth has surpassed the potential growth rate and the output gap has been closing (paragraphs 79 to 82).

133

Of particular concern is the inability of the weakened SGP framework, as set in the Commission’s implementation rules, to ensure progress towards the MTO in several highly indebted Member States. Their structural balances in 2014-2018 have either diverged from their MTOs, or are converging towards them at such a slow pace that substantial improvement ahead of the next recession is far from assured (paragraphs 85 to 97, 100).

134

The credibility of the SGP’s is undermined by inconsistencies between the preventive and corrective arms. The Commission does not apply the preventive arm requirements to Member States under the corrective arm, and it has repeatedly proposed multi-year extensions of deadlines for exiting the excessive deficit procedure (EDP) meaning that Member States under an EDP do not have to fulfil the requirements they would otherwise have to observe if they were under the preventive arm (paragraph 84).

135

Although not required by the Regulation, the Commission has sought and reached agreement with Member States through the ECOFIN Council of ministers on many implementation rules. Such precedents might now make necessary corrections in the framework more difficult (paragraphs 26, 38, 42 and 51).

136

Nevertheless, the current framework as set in the Commission’s implementation rules needs to be modified. We recommend the following measures in the context of the review of the preventive arm framework scheduled for 2018.

The Commission should address the issue of cumulative deviations and parameters in the matrix of required adjustments

137

The current combination of the matrix specifying adjustment requirements depending on the business cycle, flexibility clauses and the permitted deviations do not ensure that MTOs are reached within a reasonable time under reasonable macroeconomic scenarios. We consider that the issue of cumulative deviations can be addressed within the current regulation, given that its main objective should be given preponderance relative to the granted flexibility options. Given the interconnectedness of these issues the scale of necessary revision in the matrix will depend on whether and how the issues of the cumulative deviations and flexibility clauses are addressed and resolved. Regardless of this, there is a strong case for tightening requirements for Member States with debt ratios above 90 % of GDP and, to a lesser extent, for those with debt above 60 % but less than 90 % of GDP (paragraphs 26 to 71, 85 to 97 and 100).

Recommendation 1

1. To address the cumulative effects of the permitted deviations, the Commission should include in the revised matrix a provision increasing the adjustment requirement for the following year to compensate for the average deviation of the MS in the two preceding years and the expected deviation in the current year⁶⁵.
2. The Commission should increase the adjustment requirements for Member States with debt ratio above 60 % of GDP, with a view to bringing the requirements in line with the provisions of the debt rule. The scale of the increase should depend on the distance from the 60 % threshold, either in steps (for example higher requirements for those with the debt ratio above 90 %), or gradually.
3. The Commission should review other provisions in the matrix of required adjustments and consider modifying them with a view of achieving convergence toward MTO in all MS in a reasonable time, taking the effects of revisions in all other provisions into account including those related to permitted deviations and allowances.

This recommendation should be implemented in the review of the matrix and flexibility clauses as foreseen for 2018 in the commonly agreed position, or at the latest for the application in Spring 2019.

Flexibility clauses should be reformed to reflect the original role envisaged in the Regulation

138

The Commission is using the structural reform clause far beyond its objective in the Regulation of ensuring that budget constraints do not hamper the implementation of important reforms. The Regulation does not speak about flexibility clauses serving as an incentive for reforms. Allowances under SGP should be used for the intended purpose, while other instruments can be used to promote reforms (paragraphs 50 to 52).

139

The Commission allows increased spending under various clauses to continue beyond the years for which they had been approved. The overall spending is permanently increased until the MTO is finally reached. This leads to prolongations in the convergence period that adversely affects the achievement of the basic objective of the Regulation (paragraphs 44 to 48, 54).

140

The investment clause does not ensure an increase in the public investment-to-GDP ratio and allows non-investment-related spending to continue in the years ahead (paragraph 43).

141

The unusual event clause also leads to increase in non-related expenditure in the years following the granting of the clause, and applies broad interpretation of eligible expenditures (paragraph 57).

Recommendation 2

1. The Commission should amend the implementation rules for the structural reform clause and limit the clause to directly identified budget costs in the first few years of implementation. The approved increase in spending should be treated as a one-time event, and not lead to an increase in unrelated expenditure in the following years.
2. The Commission should discontinue the use of the investment clause in its current form. Any possible successor clause should ensure an increase in public investment relative to GDP.
3. The Commission should approve the unusual event clause only for expenditure directly linked to the events that have occurred.

This recommendation should be implemented in time for application in Spring 2019.

The adjustment requirements under the corrective and preventive arm should be synchronised and the step-up procedures used more effectively

142

Inconsistencies exist between the deficit-based corrective arm and the preventive arm. Discontinuing the practice of excessive and multiyear prolongations in the deadlines for exiting EDP would be an important step in that direction. Moreover, requirements under the preventive arm should be the minimum under the corrective arm. We do not see legal grounds to exempt Member States under the corrective arm from meeting the requirements of the preventive arm and be subject to the preventive arm step-up procedures (paragraph 84 to 94).

Recommendation 3

The Commission should explore ways within the legal framework to ensure that the level of structural adjustment required under the preventive arm is also delivered by Member States under the corrective arm. The Commission should submit a note to the EFC explaining how it plans to achieve this.

This recommendation should be implemented in time for application in Spring 2019, and by that time the Commission should submit such a note to the EFC.

Improve the quality of information required in Stability and Convergence Programmes and in the Commission’s assessment reports

143

There is a need to improve the quality of information presented in Stability and Convergence Programmes (SCP). Furthermore, given that the Commission’s assessment is underpinned by a comparison of its own forecasts with those of Member States, more transparency on the different measures included in the Commission’s forecasts is necessary to determine the credibility of the plans and the corresponding assessment. A clearer presentation of compliance results, based on criteria set in the recommendations, and an explanation of factors taken into account in the overall assessment, are also necessary in the Commission’s staff working documents (SWD) (paragraphs 104 to 106, 111 to 112).

Recommendation 4

1. The Commission should propose and seek agreement with Member States for revisions in the Code of Conduct (CoC) to ensure that Member States’ SCPs include a summary table including the revenue and expenditure estimates along with the main revenue and expenditure measures and their timing.
2. The Commission should, in its SWDs, better explain the differences between its own estimates of fiscal measures and those in Member States forecasts. It should also be more explicit in all cases on the level of compliance of an SCP with the requirements of the CoC.
3. The Commission should introduce a table presenting, separately for each pillar, assessment conclusions in its SWDs on the level of deviations. It should also explain in detail the conclusion of the overall assessment, pointing to all the factors taken into consideration if the overall assessment conclusion is not in line with the criteria stipulated in the Regulation.
4. The Commission should also present data on cumulative deviations of at least the preceding five years.

This recommendation should be implemented in time for application in Spring 2019.

Use of vintages and freezing should be reviewed

144

Certain technical approaches, such as the use of freezing or of the most favourable indicators from a mix of vintages, or the use of smoothing of investments in the expenditure benchmark do not stem from the Regulation and may lead to delays in detecting significant deviations (paragraphs 59 to 60, 108 to 109).

145

The practice of unfreezing adjustment requirements is asymmetrical. It prevents a larger adjustment from being sought when assessing draft budgetary plans (DBP), when perhaps justified by updated information (paragraph 61).

Recommendation 5

1. The Commission should base its requirements on the most up-to-date data rather than the most favourable data from a selection of past vintages.
2. In the expenditure benchmark, it should apply the concept of aggregate expenditure as required by the Regulation, without “smoothing of investments”.
3. Where prospects improve substantially between the assessment of SCPs and DBPs, the Commission should be ready to request a larger adjustment effort.

This recommendation should be implemented in time for application in Spring 2019.

The clarity of explanations in country-specific recommendations should be improved

146

Current recitals are legalistic and do not provide detailed reasoning for the recommendations. More could be done to explain the rationale behind recommended adjustments and the risks that would ensue if such requirements were not met (paragraphs 122 to 126).

Recommendation 6

1. Recitals should explain in detail the rationale for the recommended adjustment and related risks.
2. The required adjustment should be specified in the enacting part of the CSRs to indicate their obligatory character and not in the recitals.

This recommendation should be implemented in time for application in Spring 2019.

This Report was adopted by Chamber IV, headed by Mr Neven MATES, Member of the Court of Auditors, in Luxembourg at its meeting of 13 June 2018.

Abbreviations and acronyms

AMECO: Annual macro-economic database of DG ECFIN

CoC: Code of Conduct

CSR: Country-specific recommendation

DBP: Draft Budgetary Plan

DG ECFIN: Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs

EB: Expenditure benchmark

ECA: European Court of Auditors

ECB: European Central Bank

ECOFIN: Economic and Financial Affairs Council

EDP: Excessive Deficit Procedure

EFC: Economic and Financial Committee

ESA: European System of Integrated Economic Accounts

EU: European Union

GDP: Gross Domestic Product

IMF: International Monetary Fund

MS: Member State(s)

MTO: Medium Term Objective

OECD: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

OG: Output gap

pp: Percentage points

SCP: Stability and Convergence Programmes

SB: Structural balance

SGP: Stability and Growth Pact

SPB: Structural primary balance

SWD: Staff working document

TSCG: Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary union

Glossary

Code of Conduct: Policy document with guidelines for the implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact and the format and content of stability and convergence programmes.

Corrective arm of the Stability and Growth Pact: Officially known as Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP) – a mechanism which should be initiated against Member State in which the reference values for deficit and debt are exceeded.

Country-specific recommendations: Policy guidance formulated annually by Commission to Member States on how to maintain sound public finances. The Commission then submits them to the Council for endorsement in July in the context of the European Semester.

Draft Budgetary Plans: Documents that the governments of the euro area Member States are required by European economic governance rules to submit to the Commission by October 15 of each year in order to ensure the coordination of their fiscal policies.

Economic and Financial Committee: Formerly the Monetary Committee, the EFC is a Committee of the Council of the European Union set up by Article 134 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Its main task is to prepare and discuss Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) decisions with regard to economic and financial matters.

ESA (ESA 95 and ESA 2010): The European system of national and regional accounts is the EU’s internationally compatible accounting framework for the systematic and detailed description of the economies of the EU Member States and regions. For most of the audited period the relevant system was ESA 95, which was upgraded in September 2014 to ESA 2010, reflecting developments in measuring modern economies, advances in methodological research and the needs of users.

While the ESA is broadly consistent with the definitions, accounting rules and classifications applied by the comparable United Nations system, it also has some specific features which are more in line with EU practices.

European Exchange Rate Mechanism 2 (ERM II): The European Exchange rate mechanism (ERM) was set up in order to stabilise exchange rates and help Europe to become an area of monetary stability before the introduction of the single currency, the euro. After the euro’s introduction on 1 January 1999, the original ERM was replaced by ERM II at the start of Stage Three of economic and monetary union. This began with the irrevocable and definitive fixing of exchange rates, the transfer of monetary competence to the European Central Bank, and the introduction of the euro as the single currency. ERM II provides a framework for exchange rate policy co-operation between the Eurosystem (the central banking system of the euro area) and European Union Member States that are preparing to adopt the euro.

European Fiscal Board: An independent advisory body to the Commission established in 2015. The board’s main task is to evaluate the implementation of the EU fiscal rules.

European Semester: The annual EU cycle of economic policy coordination. The Semester covers fiscal policies as determined by the Stability and Growth Pact, the prevention of excessive macroeconomic imbalances (under the Macroeconomic Imbalances Procedure) and structural reforms in the context of the Europe 2020 strategy. It results in country-specific recommendations to Member States.

Excessive deficit procedure: A procedure launched by the Council upon recommendation by the European Commission against any European Union Member State that exceeds the budgetary deficit ceiling imposed by the EU’s Stability and Growth Pact legislation. The procedure entails several steps, potentially culminating in sanctions, to encourage a Member State to get its budget deficit under control, and is a requirement for the smooth functioning of Economic and monetary union.

Expenditure benchmark: Rule that contains the net growth rate of government spending at or below a country’s medium-term potential economic growth rate, depending on the country’s position in relation to its medium-term budgetary objectives (MTOs). Under the expenditure benchmark, spending increases, which go beyond a country’s medium-term potential economic growth rate, must be matched by additional discretionary revenue measures. The expenditure benchmark complements the MTO by putting growth in net expenditure on a sustainable path and therefore helping to move towards or maintain the MTO itself.

Fiscal Compact: Fiscal chapter of the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union (TSCG).

Government debt: The total gross debt at nominal value outstanding at the end of the year of the general government sector as defined in ESA 95 and ESA 2010.

Government budget balance (deficit): The difference between revenue and expenditure of the general government sector. When negative, usually referred to as a deficit. Also referred to as the headline balance/deficit.

Matrix of required adjustments: A table that sets the required annual fiscal effort required from Member States in relation to the economic cycle, taking into account their fiscal consolidation needs including their level of public debt. The commission first used one version of the matrix internally, and then published a revised version in January 2015. It was endorsed by the ECOFIN Council of 12 February 2016 in the “Commonly agreed position on flexibility within the SGP”.

Medium-term budgetary objective: The level of structural balance each Member State is expected to converge to. For most Member States it is -1 % of gross domestic product (GDP), and for euro zone Member States somewhat tighter, -0.5% of GDP, unless they have a low debt ratio. The level for each Member State is determined on the basis of various country-specific fiscal risks.

One-off and temporary measures: Government transactions having a transitory budgetary effect that does not lead to a sustained change in the budgetary position. See also Structural (budget) balance.

Output gap: The difference between actual output (i.e. GDP) and estimated potential output at a given point in time.

Potential GDP: The level of GDP that an economy can produce in a given year which is consistent with a stable rate of inflation. If actual output rises above its potential level, constraints on capacity will start to bite and inflationary pressure will build; if output falls below the potential level, resources are lying idle and inflationary pressure will abate. The level and growth of potential output are continuously re-estimated, which might lead to ex-post revisions in their estimated values. For the purposes of the preventive arm, the potential output estimates are produced by the Commission based on the EU commonly agreed methodology (for more on methodology see: “The production function methodology for calculating potential growth rates and output gaps”, European Economy, Economic Papers No. 535, November 2014).

Primary balance/deficit: Government balance/deficit increased/reduced by interest payments.

Public debt: See Government debt.

QUEST model: The global macroeconomic model that the Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN) uses for macroeconomic policy analysis and research.

Significant deviation procedure: The Commission may trigger a significant deviation procedure when a sizeable deviation is detected in the structural balance and expenditure relative to the adjustment path. Under the significant deviation procedure, Member State is expected to implement measures for correcting the deviation.

Stability and Growth Pact: An agreement binding on all the EU Member States since 1997 (reformed in 2005 and 2011) concerning implementation of the Maastricht Treaty provisions addressing the sustainability of Member State fiscal policies, essentially by maintaining public deficit and debt at acceptable levels.

Stability and Convergence Programme: A document produced annually by Member States which presents the Member State’s policies and measures to ensure sustainable fiscal policies, to maintain their fiscal positions at or above their medium term objectives, or follow a path towards the MTO, whilst simultaneously ensuring adequate debt reduction efforts to comply with the debt rule and the treaty reference value of 60 %.

Structural (budget) balance: The actual budget balance net of the cyclical component and one-off and other temporary measures. The structural balance gives a measure of the underlying trend in the budget balance (see also government budget balance/deficit).

Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union (TSCG): Intergovernmental treaty agreed at the EU summit of 30 January 2012 and signed on 2 March by the Heads of State or Government of all EU countries, with the exception of the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic. It includes provisions to foster economic policy coordination and convergence and specific chapter – Fiscal Compact - to strengthen the fiscal governance framework of the euro area.

Vintage of data: A set of estimated and forecasted data for several years at a given point of time. As the time passes, forecasts for a year (for example 2018) change, i.e. they are different in different vintages of data (for example, in projections from 2014, 2016, etc).

Audit team

The ECA’s special reports set out the results of its audits of EU policies and programmes, or of management-related topics from specific budgetary areas. The ECA selects and designs these audit tasks to be of maximum impact by considering the risks to performance or compliance, the level of income or spending involved, forthcoming developments and political and public interest.

This performance audit was carried out by Audit Chamber IV Regulation of markets and competitive economy. Mr Neven Mates, Dean of this Chamber, is the reporting Member. He was supported by Georgios Karakatsanis, Head of Private Office and Marko Mrkalj, Private Office Attaché; Zacharias Kolias, Director; Jacques Sciberras, Head of Task; Albano Martins Dias da Silva, Isabel Quintela, Adrian Savin and Marion Schiefele, Auditors; Aykut Efe, Trainee.

Contact

EUROPEAN COURT OF AUDITORS
12, rue Alcide De Gasperi
1615 Luxembourg
LUXEMBOURG

Tel. +352 4398-1
Enquiries: eca.europa.eu/en/Pages/ContactForm.aspx
Website: eca.europa.eu
Twitter: @EUAuditors

More information on the European Union is available on the internet (http://europa.eu).

Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2018

PDF	ISBN 978-92-847-0271-8	ISSN 1977-5679	doi:10.2865/5141	QJ-AB-18-015-EN-N
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© European Union, 2018.

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