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041 _afre
042 _adc
100 1 0 _aTruger, Achim
_eauthor
700 1 0 _a Will, Henner
_eauthor
245 0 0 _aThe German “debt brake”: a shining example for European fiscal policy?
260 _c2013.
500 _a77
520 _aMany observers consider the German “debt brake” beyond criticism. In the current crisis, many European countries have difficulties refinancing their budgets, while the German Treasury’s funding conditions are most favourable. The “fiscal compact’s” call for the introduction of German-style “debt brakes” in the constitutions of other countries in order to rebuild their credibility on financial markets therefore might seem reasonable. However, there are several reasons to doubt the underlying (macro-) economic reasoning. Two specific problems of the German debt brake are analysed in greater detail: Firstly, the German rule is neither simple nor transparent. The calculation of structural deficits is a complex matter highly sensitive to specification and therefore open to political manipulation. Secondly, the debt brake will ultimately have a pro-cyclical effect because of the way the commonly used cyclical adjustment method works. This will, as a result, destabilise the economy. The German debt brake can therefore hardly serve as a good example for other countries. JEL Classification: H12, H39, H50, H6.
690 _asovereign debt
690 _aeuro zone
690 _adebt brake
690 _aGermany
690 _aeuro crisis
786 0 _nRevue de l'OFCE | 127 | 1 | 2013-01-01 | p. 153-188 | 1265-9576
856 4 1 _uhttps://shs.cairn.info/revue-de-l-ofce-2013-1-page-153?lang=en&redirect-ssocas=7080
999 _c838754
_d838754