Does a single monetary policy need a single fiscal counterpart? : monetary dialogue November 2018 : in-depth analysis

The absence of a single fiscal policy in the euro area does not necessarily constitute a problem for the ECB. In a deep financial crisis poorly coordinated national fiscal policies are likely to be insufficient. But outside crisis periods spill-over effects of fiscal policy are likely to be small and of uncertain sign. Moreover, fiscal policy is always subject to policy errors and other shocks. With many different national policies, individual errors and shocks would tend to cancel out each other, at least partially, thus delivering a more stable policy in the aggregate, which should facilitate the task of the ECB to maintain price stability. EMU reform efforts should thus not aim at creating a unified fiscal policy. This document was provided by Policy Department A at the request of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.