Read the latest proposal on how to reform Europe's economic governance: 7 civil society demands
for a stronger, greener and more resilient Europe.
What's happening now?
The European Union is reforming its economic governance. This will determine the European rules on spending and debt for Member States and the procedures it uses for when these rules are broken.
As a result of the pandemic, the usual rules are currently not being enforced. The European Commission introduced a “recovery and resilience facility”, to deal with the economic damage from the pandemic and invest into climate and digital transformation.
These extraordinary measures show us that the usual rules are no longer fit for purpose. We need new rules for a new world that better respond to the issues facing us now and in years to come.
Our Vision of Success
We want a new EU economic governance that:
Encourages Member States to make the necessary investment and spending for a green and just transition of the economy and society
Ensures tax and budget policy serve the environment and reduce inequality
Our activity to date
Fiscal Matters has actively shaped the debate on European fiscal policy since its inception in late 2020.
February 2023:
POLICY BRIEF: Youth, worker, environmental and climate groups put forward seven reform demands for Europe's economic governance framework. The publication sends a strong signal ahead of EU leaders discussions in March.
October 2022:
OPEN LETTER: Over 180 unions, civil society, think tanks and academics are calling on EU leaders to design a fairer system built around a future-proof economy with jobs for all, solidarity and sustainability.
March 2022:
STATEMENT: Over 270 NGOs, unions and academics from all 27 EU member states demand a fundamental reform of Europe's spending rules. Leading academic voices like Olivier Blanchard, Kate Raworth and Herman Wijfels are among the signatories.
December 2021:
CONSULTATION: A broad range of stakeholders answer to the European Commission survey on the European economic governance review. This input will shape the Commission proposal, expected in 2023. Read selected answers under updates.
September 2021:
EVENT: A Fiscal Matters week of debate on EU fiscal policy, with 22 online events attracting over 800 participants. High profile speakers included Joseph Stiglitz, Marianna Mazzucato, Paschal Donohoe, Marco Buti and more
September 2021:
OPINION: Benoit Lallemand, the Secretary General of Finance Watch argues that Angela Merkel’s departure is an opportunity to fix the EU, published in Open Democracy
September 2021:
OPINION: Nobel priece winning economist Joseph Stiglitz writes that Europe should not return to pre-pandemic fiscal rules, published in the Financial Times
February 2021:
OPEN LETTER: A +170 signatures strong open letter sent to European Union leaders asking them to review EU economic governance. Signatories include civil society leaders, trade unions and economists
June 2021:
REACTION: A +140 signatures strong open letter arguing to stop the fetishisation of deficits, published in the Financial Times. Signatories include economists like Adam Tooze, Stephanie Kelton, Daniela Gabor and more
Get involved
If you care about the future of Europe - now is your chance to get involved!
About us & Why
We are FiscalMatters - a group of civil society organisations, think tanks and trade unions, dedicated to fostering an informed debate that shapes a more just and sustainable future for all Europeans.
