A Critcal Overview of the Legal Measures Adopted to Combat the Fiscal Crisis

The presentation will critically assess the amendments introduced to the Stability and Growth Pact by way of the six and two pack legal instruments as well as the Treaty on Fiscal Stability. The main objective is to highlight the problems both in terms of legal and political barriers associated with the effective enforcement of the fiscal reform measures. There is already evidence of a struggle between the Commission to exercise its newly acquired power to control the national budgets and those Member States who vehemently resist it. The outcome of this struggle will become known in March 2015 when the Commission is due to present its report to effectively enforce or not its budgetary powers. The overall aim of this talk is to create a platform for a creative and critical discussion among the participants at the seminar.