In recent years, inflation in the euro area has failed to decelerate decisively while cyclical slack built up in the economy. Is this phenomenon more than a peculiarity in recent data? Is it related to structural policy settings? Econometric analysis conducted on two decades of quarterly data...

The 2005 reform of the EU Stability and Growth Pact has provided leeway for governments to let their fiscal deficit temporarily breach the 3% rule to finance the immediate budgetary cost of structural reform, such as compensation schemes to offset redistributive effects. Against this backdrop,...

Fiscal restraint looks inevitable in the Eurozone following the pandemic, especially if the fiscal rules are reinstated. How to match this with the need to finance the climate transition? Two possible routes are explored. One is the adoption of a ‘green golden rule’, with the structural...