Yves Mersch: Remarks on the future of economic governance in
Europe and the euro
Introductory address by Mr Yves Mersch, Member of the Executive Board of the European
Central Bank, at the panel "The Agenda for Europe", at Ambrosetti's Finance Forum on "The
Outlook for the Economy and Finance", Villa d'Este, Cernobbio, 8 April 2017.
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In a year of anniversaries - the sixtieth anniversary of the Rome Treaty and the
twentyfifth anniversary of the Maastricht Treaty -, our Union finds itself amidst a debate about
its raison d'être and its future.
Earlier this week, the EU commission discussed in Strasbourg "a road map towards a complete
Economic and Monetary Union in 2025" as part of a "reflection paper".
In January, the high-level group on own resources (HLGOR) chaired by Mario Monti has been
presented in the European Parliament and in the Council. It is reflecting on finding more
transparent, simple, fair and democratically accountable ways to finance the EU.
And we are approaching the second stage of the "Five Presidents' report" with the aim of
completing the architecture of Economic and Monetary Union.
As a central banker, I will focus on the state of economic governance in Europe. I will first share
some considerations on what has been achieved so far. I will then discuss how we could further
improve the functioning of our Economic and Monetary Union in the future and invigorate trust
and support from European citizens.
The key role of monetary policy in stabilising the euro area economy
As the central bank issuing the euro, we are responsible for the stability of the single
currency. Our monetary policy measures played a key role in stabilising the European economy.
The European Central Bank acted decisively by deploying a range of conventional and
unconventional monetary policy measures, allowing to reduce financial fragmentation, avoid
deflation, and support price stability and thereby the economic recovery.
While an effective lower bound for short-term interest rates exists, monetary policy,
shifted to steering medium to long-term rates despite of its higher dependency on
international capital markets. The ECB employed non-standard measures including forward
guidance and asset purchases to deal with the lower bound constraint. These instruments have
been effective in narrowing spreads (term and liquidity premia) and lowering the exchange rates,
thus supporting the ongoing recovery.
Shortcomings in other policy fields delayed the recovery
The economic outlook has significantly improved since the peak of the crisis. The
recovery has strengthened and broadened across sectors and countries and the balance of risks
is within a whisker of being called balanced. Growth of GDP per capita was in fact higher in the
euro area last year than in any other major advanced economies in the G7. And unemployment
has declined to 9.5% in February 2017, the lowest level since May 2009. The output gap should
be closing within the policy horizon; NAIRU at the same time has been revised downwards - for
those who love unobservables.
But to reap the full benefits of our monetary policy, it needs to be complemented by
sound economic and fiscal policies at national and European level. To the extent that fiscal
and economic policies did not provide the necessary cyclical support and tackle decisively
enough structural drivers of the crisis, the monetary policy reaction is more extended and forceful
with the negative consequences as would have been the case in a healthier environment.
Therefore, there is a need to improve economic and fiscal policies. This implies both more
decisive action by national governments and full implementation of the strengthened institutional
framework of Economic and Monetary Union.
The improved financial and economic architecture of EMU
Since the onset of the crisis, many of the shortcomings in the financial and economic
architecture of Economic and Monetary Union have indeed been overcome.
has been strengthened by enhancing the Stability and Growth Pact
Economic governance
whilst introducing a framework for macroeconomic surveillance to identify and address
macroeconomic imbalances as well as declining competitiveness through the so-called six-pack
and two-pack. Further steps were also taken towards improving budgetary coordination among
Member States. However, the preventive arm of the Stability and Growth Pact has proven to be
dysfunctional.
The creation of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) provided a tool for crisis resolution at
European level.
The establishment of Banking Union was a further essential step for safeguarding financial
stability in Europe.
Regarding the regulatory treatment of sovereign exposures, it was agreed to await the
outcomes of the Basel Committee. Following the work of the Basel Committee the Council
will consider possible next steps in the European context.
In the long run we certainly need to realize that a zero-risk weight for sovereign cannot hold a
reality check.
Moreover, the acknowledgement of sovereign debt restructuring as a real possibility requires
deeper reflections on sovereign debt restructuring mechanism for the euro area and would
underpin the credibility on of the no bailout clause. As experience has shown, "the
constructive ambiguity" with respect to the market interpretation of the no bailout clause
embedded in the Treaties has not really been effective. The ESM could play a larger role in
this respect.
Capital Markets Union is a natural complement to the Banking Union. It aims at promoting
financial integration and enhancing shock absorption via financial markets by facilitating private
risk-sharing whilst reducing opportunities for regulatory arbitrage. CMU should also support the
smooth and homogenous transmission of monetary policy.
A number of concrete measures are listed in the Commission's Action Plan to strengthen:
Securitisation, insolvency regimes, and tax legislation need to be prioritised. Cross-border
barriers to clearing and settlement should be removed.
I welcome the commission's communication on accelerating the CMU. Swift implementation is of
the essence.
Implementation of promises and adherence to new rules is key
As a result of these measures, our economic and monetary union is considerably more
resilient today than it was at the peak of the crisis. The strengthening of the recovery in the
past year, in spite of challenges on several fronts, is testimony to that. Yet the strengthened
framework can only deliver stability over the longer term if national governments keep their
promises and adhere to the rules. For economic and fiscal policies this means:
Structural reforms are necessary to raise productivity and improve the business
environment. Fiscal policies should be designed so that they support the economic recovery
by focussing on productivity-enhancing measures.
At the same time, fiscal rules need to be respected to build confidence in the sustainability of
national finances.
More decisive action by national governments and respect for the rules that we have
commonly agreed on is essential for a stronger and safer Economic and Monetary
Union. It is also a vital prerequisite for any further move towards shared fiscal sovereignty in the
euro area.
The Five Presidents' report has outlined a vision for improving the architecture of EMU
Let me share with you
and provides a roadmap for completing political and fiscal union.
some considerations on frequently floated ideas:
In the long run, sound fiscal policies at national level could be accompanied by the
establishment of a euro area fiscal capacity with own resources, central control of spending
and democratic control on the European level. This would provide a European automatic
stabiliser and could allow financing European public goods. This would lead in the direction
of the practice of federations, where spending on functions such as defence or R&D is to a
large extent centralised. This however would require Treaty changes and raises the question
about a Transfer Union. For both, the appetite of governments and people is currently very
low.
Furthermore, a pooling of fiscal resources, whatever their nature and size might be, only
works if solidarity goes hand in hand with shared responsibility. Likewise, greater risk
sharing in the fiscal realm presupposes sufficient economic convergence among
participating countries and the sustainability of public finances.
And where competences are assigned to the European level, they should be part of the
Union method, with clear executive powers, full democratic accountability and rigorous
judicial arrangements. Conversely, we should avoid creating the wrong impression about
what the Union can do: loose coordination at European level may give the impression that a
competence has been passed to the European level, when in fact it continues to be
dominated by the power play among Member States which is a pattern that has consistently
failed to pacify the European continent. This perceived ineffectiveness further contributes to
the loss of trust and credibility of EU institutions. Therefore, responsibilities and
accountability should be more clearly defined and aligned, similar to the monetary policy
framework.
I am aware that the attention of our policy-makers currently lies more on security needs
than completing Economic and Monetary Union. Some of these proposals may also require
Treaty change for which there may be little appetite at the moment.
But we should also not forget that Europe will be better able to protect itself if it has a
strong economy allowing it to address the concerns of Europeans. Ultimately, stability,
prosperity and security are interlinked. Not only between these three objectives of the Union but
also across European countries. We have common interests - and also common values -,
which means there is no reason we should not see our identity and sovereignty as also
European.
Thank you for your attention.