WRITTEN QUESTION E-1040/01 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Spanish central government's budget dogmatism, imposing a zero deficit by law on the state budget and on the budgets of the autonomous communities.
Date: 2001-04-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Spain, autonomous community, budget policy, budgetary equilibrium, competence of the Member States, control of constitutionality, financial autonomy, stability pact

4.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 340 E/153

The species of bird mentioned by the complainant in the complaint attached to the written question (cid:129) the
stone curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) (cid:129) is covered by Annex I to Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April
1979 on the conservation of wild birds (2).

The Commission will therefore contact the Spanish authorities shortly to ask for information on the
situation reported, in order to ensure that Directive 92/43/EEC is being correctly applied in this case.

It would be premature to take a decision on restoring the area before the Spanish authorities(cid:146) reply has
been received and examined by the Commission.

The Commission has asked the Spanish authorities whether the project in question received cofinancing
under the Structural Funds and it will inform the Honourable Member of their reply.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.
(2) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.

(2001/C 340 E/171)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1040/01

by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(3 April 2001)

Subject: Spanish central government(cid:146)s budget dogmatism,

imposing a zero deficit by law on the state

budget and on the budgets of the autonomous communities

Does the Commission consider it appropriate and necessary or legitimate, with a view to complying with
the Stability and Growth Pact adopted by the Amsterdam European Council in 1997, that a government,
in this case the Spanish government, should impose a zero deficit by law on the drawing-up of the state
and autonomous community budgets,
their constitutionally guaranteed
autonomy?

in the latter case,

ignoring,

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(11 June 2001)

Spain, as a member of the Monetary Union, has committed itself to respect a medium-term objective for
the general government budgetary position of close to balance or in surplus. This objective was established
in the (cid:145)Stability and Growth Pact (1)(cid:146). It is broadly accepted that the achievement of this goal provides
a stable macroeconomic framework on a sound basis and contributes to improve the medium-term
prospects of the Spanish economy.

The Council Opinion on the January 2001 updated stability programme of Spain encouraged the
continuation of fiscal consolidation and considered that the budgetary adjustment would be facilitated by
its being shared by all levels of government.

However, the Commission does not advocate any specific form regarding the necessary internal co-
ordination between the different general government sub-sectors so as to fulfil the objectives of the
Stability and Growth Pact. This issue is for the decision of each Member State.

Likewise, the Commission cannot assess the constitutionality of the draft budget reform law (Law of
Budgetary Stability) currently under discussion in the Spanish Parliament.

(1) OJ C 236, 2.8.1997.