Monitoring and assessing draft budgetary plans and ensuring the correction of excessive deficit of the Member States in the euro area ***I Amendments adopted by the European Parliament on 13 June 2012 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on common provisions for monitoring and assessing draft budgetary plans and ensuring the correction of excessive deficit of the Member States in the euro area (COM(2011)0821 – C7-0448/2011– 2011/0386(COD))
Date: 2012-06-13
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: EU control, budget deficit, coordination of EMU policies, economic recession, economic stabilisation, euro area, financial aid, public debt








CE2013332EN.01015001.xml










15.11.2013   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


CE 332/150





Wednesday 13 June 2012Monitoring and assessing draft budgetary plans and ensuring the correction of excessive deficit of the Member States in the euro area ***I
P7_TA(2012)0243
Amendments adopted by the European Parliament on 13 June 2012 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on common provisions for monitoring and assessing draft budgetary plans and ensuring the correction of excessive deficit of the Member States in the euro area (COM(2011)0821 – C7-0448/2011– 2011/0386(COD)) (1)

2013/C 332 E/32
(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)






TEXT PROPOSED BY THE COMMISSION


AMENDMENT





Amendment 1






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 1 a (new)





 










(1a)






Article 9 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) provides that, in defining and implementing its policies and actions, the Union shall take into account requirements linked to the promotion of a high level of employment, the guarantee of adequate social protection, the fight against social exclusion, and a high level of education, training and protection of human health.











Amendment 2






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 2











(2)


The Stability and Growth Pact, in particular Regulations (EC) No 1466/97 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies and Council Regulation (EC) No 1467/97 of 7 July 1997 on speeding up and clarifying the implementation of the excessive deficit procedure, 
designed to
 secure budgetary discipline across the Union, sets out the framework for preventing and correcting excessive government deficits. It has been further strengthened by Regulation No …/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies and Regulation (EU) No …/2011 amending Regulation (EC) No 1467/97 on speeding up and clarifying the implementation of the excessive deficit procedure. Regulation (EC) No …/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the effective enforcement of budgetary surveillance in the euro area added a system of effective, preventive and gradual enforcement mechanisms in the form of financial sanctions for the Member States whose currency is the euro.












(2)


The Stability and Growth Pact, in particular Regulations (EC) No 1466/97 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies and Council Regulation (EC) No 1467/97 of 7 July 1997 on speeding up and clarifying the implementation of the excessive deficit procedure, 
aiming at
 secure budgetary discipline across the Union, sets out the framework for preventing and correcting excessive government deficits. Regulations (EC) No 1466/97 and 1467/97 have been amended and the Stability and Growth Pact has been further strengthened, by Regulation (EU) No 1175/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2) and by Regulation (EU) No 1177/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3)
. Regulation (EU) No 1173/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the effective enforcement of budgetary surveillance in the euro area (4) added a system of effective, preventive and gradual enforcement mechanisms in the form of financial sanctions for the Member States whose currency is the euro. 
Article 2-a of Regulation (EC) No 1466/97, moreover, lays down the elements that constitute the European Semester for economic policy coordination.











Amendment 3






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 2 a (new)





 










(2a)






Pursuant to Article 2-a of Regulation (EC) No 1466/97, the European Semester includes the formulation, and the surveillance of the implementation, of the broad guidelines of the economic policies of the Member States and of the Union (broad economic policy guidelines) in accordance with Article 121(2) TFEU; the formulation, and the examination of the implementation, of the employment guidelines that must be taken into account by Member States in accordance with Article 148(2) TFEU (employment guidelines); the submission and assessment of Member States' stability or convergence programmes under that Regulation; the submission and assessment of Member States' national reform programmes supporting the Union strategy for growth and jobs and established in line with the broad economic guidelines, with the employment guidelines and with the general guidance to Member States issued by the Commission and the European Council at the beginning of the annual cycle of surveillance; the surveillance to prevent and correct macroeconomic imbalances under Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances (5).











Amendment 4






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 3











(3)


The amendments to the Stability and Growth Pact increase both the guidance, and, for the Member States whose currency is the euro, 
incentives for the setting and the implementation of
 a prudent budgetary policy, while avoiding excessive government deficits. These provisions have created a more robust framework at the level of the Union for the surveillance of national economic policies.












(3)


The amendments to the Stability and Growth Pact increase both the guidance, and, for the Member States whose currency is the euro, 
reinforced and more automatic sanctions for non-compliance with
 a prudent budgetary policy, while avoiding excessive government deficits. These provisions have created a more robust framework at the level of the Union for the surveillance of national economic policies 
but deeper coordination of economic policy and incentives for compliance are needed
.









Amendment 5






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 3 a (new)





 










(3a)






The revised Stability and Growth Pact is based on the objective of sound government finances as a means of strengthening the conditions for price stability and for strong sustainable growth underpinned by financial stability, thereby supporting the achievement of the Union's objectives for sustainable growth and jobs.











Amendment 6






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 3 b (new)





 










(3b)






The European Council, meeting on 17 June 2010, adopted a new Union strategy for growth and jobs, to enable the Union to emerge stronger from the crisis, and to turn its economy towards smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, accompanied by a high level of quality employment, productivity and social cohesion. The Union strategy for growth and jobs also contains objectives in the fields of poverty, education, innovation and the environment.











Amendment 7






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 3 c (new)





 










(3c)






Due attention should be paid to the Union strategy for growth and jobs and how it is implemented by Member States via their national reform programmes.











Amendment 8






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 4











(4)


The Treaty allows the adoption of specific measures in the euro area which go beyond the provisions applicable to all Member States in order to ensure the proper functioning of the Economic and Monetary Union.












(4)


The TFEU allows the adoption of specific measures in the euro area which go beyond the provisions applicable to all Member States in order to ensure
, and to avoid policies in the Member States that jeopardise,
 the proper functioning of the economic and monetary union. 
More active use, where appropriate and necessary, should be made of specific measures provided for in Article 136 TFEU in order to create the necessary conditions for a deeper and more resilient integration which should go hand in hand with enhanced democratic legitimacy of the economic and monetary union.











Amendment 9






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 4 a (new)





 










(4a)






Sound public finances and balanced budgets are a prerequisite for economic and financial stability as clearly demonstrated by the sovereign debt crisis, underlining the need for strong and solid fiscal frameworks. Furthermore, the deficits of today, associated with stagnated economies, highlight the need for reforms rather than increased spending.











Amendment 10






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 4 b (new)





 










(4b)






Member States should refrain from adopting any measure which could jeopardise the attainment of the Union's objectives in the framework of the economic and monetary union, in particular the practice of accumulating debts outside the general government accounts.











Amendment 11






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 5











(5)


Strong public finances are best ensured at the planning stage and gross errors should be identified as early as possible. Member States should benefit not just from the setting of guiding principles and budgetary targets but also from a synchronised monitoring of their budgetary policies.












(5)


Strong public finances 
and coordinated economic policies
 are best ensured at the planning stage and gross errors should be identified as early as possible. Member States should benefit not just from the setting of guiding principles and budgetary targets but also from a synchronised monitoring of their budgetary 
and macroeconomic
 policies 
and public debt issuances
. 
With a view to better coordinating the planning of national debt issuances, Member States need to report ex-ante on their public debt issuance plans
.









Amendment 12






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 5 a (new)





 










(5a)






The aim of this Regulation is to put in place further Union mechanisms for the coordination and surveillance of Member States' budgetary and economic policies. Nevertheless, prudence should be shown at all stages, and, for this reason, no matters related to the Member States' debt issuance plans, the renewal of outstanding debt or other relevant operations should be made public, and they should be used for internal coordination only. This need arises from the risk that a Member State may be subject to by making its financial needs known in advance to the financial markets.











Amendment 13






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 6











(6)


Setting-up a common budgetary timeline for Member States whose currency is the euro should better synchronize the key steps in the preparation of national budgets, thus contributing to the effectiveness of the European semester for budgetary policy coordination. Adopting a common budgetary timeline should lead to stronger synergies by facilitating policy coordination among Member States whose currency is the euro and ensure that the 
Council and Commission
 recommendations are appropriately integrated in the national process for budget adoption.












(6)


Setting-up a common budgetary timeline for Member States whose currency is the euro should better synchronize the key steps in the preparation of national budgets, thus contributing to the effectiveness of the European semester for 
economic and
 budgetary policy coordination. Adopting a common budgetary timeline should lead to stronger synergies by facilitating policy coordination among Member States whose currency is the euro and ensure that the 
country-specific policy
 recommendations 
and the national reform programmes and stability and convergence programmes, as well as the recommendations based on the macroeconomic imbalances analysis
 are appropriately integrated in the national process for budget adoption.









Amendment 14






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 6 a (new)





 










(6a)






It is essential that the common budgetary plan timeline is coherent with the Member States' budgetary timeframes. If it is not, any Commission opinion regarding a Member State's draft budgetary plan has the risk of lacking democratic legitimacy in that Member State's parliament.











Amendment 15






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 6 b (new)





 










(6b)






Where the budget is not adopted by 31 December as provided for by this Regulation, reversionary budget procedures should be in place to ensure that the government remains able to discharge its essential duties.











Amendment 16






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 7











(7)




There is strong evidence showing the effectiveness of
 rules-based fiscal frameworks in supporting sound and sustainable fiscal policies. The introduction of national fiscal rules that are consistent with the budgetary objectives set at Union level should be a crucial element to ensure the respect of the Stability and Growth Pact provisions. In particular, Member States should put in place 
structural balanced budget rules which transpose into national legislation the main principles of the Union fiscal framework. This transposition should be effective through binding rules preferably of a constitutional nature so as to demonstrate the strongest commitment of national authorities in relation to the Stability and Growth Pact.














(7)




Effective
 rules-based fiscal frameworks 
can be important
 in supporting sound and sustainable fiscal policies. The introduction of national fiscal rules that are consistent with the 
economic and
 budgetary objectives set at Union level
, and which include the definition of exceptional circumstances and severe economic downturns,
 should be a crucial element to ensure the 
sustainable
 respect of the Stability and Growth Pact provisions. In particular, Member States should put in place 
a mechanism to be triggered in the case of a significant deviation from the medium-term budgetary objective or the adjustment path towards it aiming at ensuring a timely return to the medium-term objective. It is essential that those rules cover the general government as a whole and be of binding force or otherwise guaranteed to be fully complied with throughout the national budgetary processes.











Amendment 17






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 7 a (new)





 










(7a)






The extent of sovereign indebtedness in the Union is a paramount challenge which should be addressed if the economy is to return to a stable and resilient growth trend in the short as well as the long term. A significant time span will elapse before the average level of indebtedness among Member States returns to the 60 % trajectory stipulated by the Stability and Growth Pact. Fulfilment of the medium-term budgetary objectives is a fundamental precondition in this regard while deviating from them could trigger soaring interest rates and thereby threaten growth and recovery.











Amendment 18






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 8











(8)


Biased and unrealistic macroeconomic and budgetary forecasts can considerably hamper the effectiveness of budgetary planning and consequently impair commitment to budgetary discipline. Forecasts from independent bodies can provide unbiased and realistic macroeconomic forecasts.












(8)


Biased and unrealistic macroeconomic and budgetary forecasts can considerably hamper the effectiveness of budgetary planning and consequently impair commitment to budgetary discipline. Forecasts from independent 
and technically competent
 bodies 
endowed with functional autonomy vis-à-vis the budgetary authorities of the Member State which comply with minimum requirements, as laid down in Annex I,
 can provide unbiased and realistic macroeconomic forecasts
, once their comparability and coherence have been established
.









Amendment 20






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 9











(9)


This gradually strengthened surveillance will further complement the existing provisions of the Stability and Growth Pact and strengthen the surveillance of budgetary 
discipline
 in Member States whose currency is the euro. A gradually enhanced monitoring procedure should contribute to better budgetary outcomes to the benefit of all Member States whose currency is the euro. As part of a gradually strengthened procedure, a closer monitoring is particularly valuable to Member States that are subject to an excessive deficit procedure.












(9)


This gradually strengthened surveillance 
and coordination
 will further 
complete the European Semester for economic policy coordination,
 complement the existing provisions of the Stability and Growth Pact and strengthen the surveillance of budgetary 
and macro-financial soundness and economic convergence
 in Member States whose currency is the euro. A gradually enhanced monitoring procedure should contribute to better budgetary 
and economic
 outcomes to the benefit of all Member States whose currency is the euro
, without creating unnecessary bureaucracy
. As part of a gradually strengthened procedure, a closer monitoring is particularly valuable to Member States that are subject to an excessive deficit procedure.









Amendment 21






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 10











(10)




As demonstrated by the sovereign debt crisis, and in particular by the need to put in place common financial backstops,
 Member States whose currency is the euro 
share enhanced spill-overs
 from their budgetary 
policy
. Each of the Member States whose currency is the euro should consult the Commission and other Member States whose currency is the euro before the adoption of any major fiscal policy reform plans with potential spill-over effects, so as to give the possibility for an assessment of possible impact for the euro area as a whole. They should consider their budgetary plans to be of common concern and submit them to the Commission for monitoring purposes in advance of the plans becoming binding. The Commission should be in a position, if necessary, to adopt an opinion on the draft budgetary plan, that the Member State and in particular budgetary authorities should be invited to take into account in the process of the budget law adoption. Such an opinion should ensure that Union's policy guidance in the budgetary area is appropriately integrated in the national budgetary preparations. In particular, this opinion should include an assessment of whether or not the budgetary plans appropriately address the recommendations issued in the context of the European semester in the budgetary area. The Commission should stand ready to present this opinion to the Parliament of the Member State concerned at its request. The extent to which this opinion has been taken into account should be part of the assessment, if and when the conditions are met, leading to the decision to place the concerned Member State in excessive deficit procedure, where no follow-up to the early guidance from the Commission should be considered as an aggravating factor. Also, based on an overall assessment of the plans by the Commission, the Eurogroup should discuss the budgetary situation and prospects for the euro area.












(10)


Member States whose currency is the euro 
generate or are affected by spill-over effects
 from their budgetary 
and macroeconomic policies
. 
Spill-over effects should therefore be identified and addressed within the framework of country-specific surveillance procedures as well as in the overall assessment of the budgetary situation and prospects in the euro area as a whole. That assessment should identify, on a country-by-country basis, potential negative spill-over effects on the sustainability of public finances of the Member States generated by their private sector or by other Member States. The sovereign debt crisis has also demonstrated the interlinkage between sovereign debt, financial stability and bank solvency.
 Each of the Member States whose currency is the euro should consult the Commission and other Member States whose currency is the euro before the adoption of any major 
economic and
 fiscal policy reform plans with potential spill-over effects, so as to give the possibility for an assessment of possible impact for the euro area as a whole. They should consider their budgetary 
and economic
 plans to be of common concern and submit them to the Commission for monitoring purposes in advance of the plans becoming binding. The Commission should be in a position to adopt
, as soon as possible and no later than 15 November,
 an opinion on the draft budgetary plan, that the Member State should be invited to take into account in the process of the budget law adoption. Such an opinion should ensure that Union's policy guidance in the 
economic and
 budgetary area is appropriately integrated in the national budgetary preparations. In particular, this opinion should include an assessment of whether or not the budgetary plans appropriately address the recommendations issued in the context of the European semester in the 
economic and
 budgetary area 
(country-specific policy recommendations). In the same context, it should ensure that Member State commitments in the framework of their national reform programmes as well as any commitments made by them within the framework of economic partnership programmes and Council recommendations within the macroeconomic imbalances procedure are appropriately reflected in the draft national budget.
 The Commission should stand ready to present this opinion to the Parliament of the Member State concerned at its request. The extent to which this opinion has been taken into account should be part of the assessment, if and when the conditions are met, leading to the decision to place the concerned Member State in excessive deficit procedure, where no follow-up to the early guidance from the Commission should be considered as an aggravating factor. Also, based on an overall assessment of the plans by the Commission, the Eurogroup 
and the European Parliament
 should discuss the budgetary situation and prospects for the euro area.









Amendment 22






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 10 a (new)





 










(10a)






In the event of particularly serious non-compliance of the draft budgetary plan with the adjustment path towards the medium-term budgetary objective, the Commission, in its opinion on the draft budgetary plan, should request, after consultation with the Member State concerned, a revised draft budgetary plan, in accordance with the provisions of this Regulation. This will be the case in particular where the implementation of the initial budgetary plan would put at risk the financial stability of the Member State concerned or risk jeopardising the proper functioning of the economic and monetary union or where the implementation of the initial budgetary plan would entail an obvious significant violation of the recommendations formulated by the Council under the Stability and Growth Pact.











Amendment 23






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 10 b (new)





 










(10b)






In the context of better coordination and ex ante discussions among Member States of any major economic and fiscal policy reform plans with potential spill-over effects, the Commission should put forward a report, and if necessary a proposal, to the European Parliament and to the Council, with a detailed plan setting out how such coordination and ex ante discussions are to operate, what form such coordination and discussions are to take, what policies are envisaged, and the likely political consequences - to the Member States and, in particular, to the national parliaments - of decisions arising from such coordination and ex ante discussions. That Commission opinion should, at least, ensure that the coordination is integrated into the European Semester framework.











Amendment 24






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 10 c (new)





 










(10c)






Furthermore, strengthening economic governance should include a closer and more timely involvement of the European Parliament and the national parliaments. While recognising that the counterparts of the European Parliament in the framework of the dialogue are the relevant institutions of the Union and their representatives, the competent committee of the European Parliament may offer an opportunity to participate in an exchange of views to a Member State which is the subject of a Council decision imposing an interest-bearing deposit or an annual fine in accordance with this Regulation. The Member State's participation in such an exchange of views is voluntary.











Amendment 25






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 11











(11)


Member States whose currency is the euro and which are subject to an excessive deficit procedure should be monitored more closely to secure a 
full
 and timely correction of the excessive deficit. A closer monitoring should ensure early correction of any deviations from the Council recommendations to correct the excessive deficit. Such monitoring should complement the provisions set out in Regulation (EC) No 1467/97. The modalities of this closer monitoring should be graduated depending on the stage of the procedure the Member State is subject to, as provided for in Article 126 of the Treaty.












(11)


Member States whose currency is the euro and which are subject to an excessive deficit procedure should be monitored more closely to secure a 
coherent, sustainable
 and timely correction of the excessive deficit. A closer monitoring should ensure early 
prevention and
 correction of any deviations from the Council recommendations to correct the excessive deficit 
or from the country-specific recommendations.
 Such monitoring should complement the provisions set out in Regulation (EC) No 1467/97. The modalities of this closer monitoring should be graduated depending on the stage of the procedure the Member State is subject to, as provided for in Article 126 TFEU. 
Member States that are subject to an excessive deficit procedure should present an economic partnership programme including a detailed description of the structural reforms. It is essential that such structural reforms be put in place and implemented to ensure an effective and durable correction of their excessive deficits. Where appropriate, the social partners should be involved in accordance with national law and practices.











Amendment 26






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 12











(12)




The
 closer monitoring for Member States subject to an excessive deficit procedure 
should allow the identification of risks in the compliance of a Member State's deadline to correct the excessive deficit. In the event of such risks being identified,
 the Commission should 
issue a recommendation to
 the Member State 
for measures to be taken within a given timeframe that should be presented to the Parliament of the Member State concerned at its request. This assessment should allow rapid correction of any developments putting at risk the correction of the excessive deficit within the established deadline. Assessment of compliance with this Commission recommendation should be part of the continuous assessment made by the Commission of effective action to correct an excessive deficit. When deciding whether effective action to correct the excessive deficit has been taken, the Council should also base its decision on whether or not the Member State complied with the Commission recommendation
.












(12)




It is essential that
 closer monitoring for Member States subject to an excessive deficit procedure 
be undertaken in the context of an economic partnership programme. In that context,
 the Commission should 
invite
 the Member State 
to carry out a comprehensive assessment of in-year budgetary execution for the general government and its sub-sectors and to report regularly to the Commission and to the Economic and Financial Committee, for the general government and its sub-sectors, the in-year budgetary execution, the budgetary impact of discretionary measures taken on both the expenditure and the revenue side, targets for the government expenditure and revenues, as well as information on the measures adopted and the nature of those envisaged to achieve the targets
.









Amendment 27






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 12 a (new)





 










(12a)






In order to ensure the proper functioning of economic and monetary union and respect for budgetary discipline, it is indispensable to safeguard the stability in the euro area as a whole and therefore to strengthen the efficiency and the resilience of the euro area financial system to adverse shocks, to address liquidity constraints as well as negative externalities related to the fragmentation of the sovereign bond markets and to reduce marginal funding costs for Member States facing funding pressures. For that overarching purpose, it is necessary to adopt a roadmap towards euro area common sovereign debt instruments including the establishment of an enhanced economic policy coordination framework. As a first step for the coordinated and common issuance of euro area sovereign debt instruments, it is essential that a redemption fund be established over a period of approximately 25 years together with the coordination of euro area Member State debt issuance. This first step is without prejudice to the implementation of further steps in the roadmap before the end of that period.











Amendment 28






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 12 b (new)





 










(12b)






In applying this Regulation, the Council and the Commission should fully respect the role of the social partners, as well as differences between national systems, such as those relating to wage formation.











Amendment 29






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 13











(13)


In order to enhance the dialogue between the Union institutions, in particular the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, and to ensure greater transparency and accountability, the competent committee of the European Parliament may offer the opportunity to the Member State concerned by a Commission recommendation to participate in an exchange of views
,














(13)


In order to enhance the dialogue between the Union institutions, in particular the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, and to ensure greater transparency and accountability, the competent committee of the European Parliament may offer the opportunity to the Member State concerned by a Commission recommendation to participate in an exchange of views
. Rules should also be provided for strengthening accountability
, 
transparency and scrutiny of budgetary and more broadly euro area economic policy surveillance and coordination, in accordance with democratic principles. To that end, specific provisions should be provided for, in accordance with national practices for involving national parliaments, the social partners and civil society organisations.











Amendment 30






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 13 a (new)





 










(13a)






Budgetary plans and structural reforms should be consistent with the protection of social rights and should avoid increasing inequalities. Therefore budgetary discipline should not be implemented to the detriment of medium and long-term means required for a sustainable and environmentally friendly transformation of the economy in line with the Union strategy for jobs and growth and the 2050 climate change objectives.











Amendment 31






Proposal for a regulation


Recital 13 b (new)





 










(13b)






Tax policy plays a crucial role for enhancing the effectiveness and fairness of budgetary plans while contributing to sustainable growth. A comprehensive set of measures and legislative initiatives such as a European financial transaction tax and a common consolidated corporate tax base should be swiftly adopted at the Union and at the national level in order to remove unjustified exceptions, broaden the tax base, improve the efficiency of tax collection, tackle tax evasion and apply comprehensively the 'polluter pays' principle.











Amendment 32






Proposal for a regulation


Article 1 – paragraph 1 – introductory part





1.   This Regulation sets out provisions for enhanced monitoring of budgetary policies in the euro area by:


1.   This Regulation sets out provisions for enhanced monitoring of budgetary 
and economic
 policies 
and an enhanced economic policy coordination framework
 in the euro area by:





Amendment 33






Proposal for a regulation


Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)





 










(aa)






complementing the procedure for prevention and correction of excessive macroeconomic imbalances as established by Regulation (EU) No 1174/2011;











Amendment 34






Proposal for a regulation


Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)





 










(ca)






guaranteeing the compatibility between budgetary policies and the procedure for prevention and correction of excessive macroeconomic imbalances as established by Regulation (EU) No 1174/2011, through a closer monitoring of Member States' national reform programmes and any economic partnership programmes, in order to ensure sustainable compliance and convergence within the euro area.











Amendment 35






Proposal for a regulation


Article 1 – paragraph 1 a (new)





 




1a.
   
This Regulation shall be applied in full compliance with Article 152 TFEU and the recommendations adopted under this Regulation shall be applied in a manner fully respecting practices and institutions for wage formation. The application of this Regulation and those recommendations shall take into account Article 28 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and, accordingly, shall not affect the right to negotiate, conclude or enforce collective agreements and to take collective action in accordance with national law and practices.







Amendment 36






Proposal for a regulation


Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1











(1)


"
independent
 fiscal council" means 
a
 body endowed with functional autonomy vis-à-vis the 
fiscal
 authorities of the Member State in charge of monitoring the implementation of national fiscal rules;












(1)


"fiscal council" means 
an independent and technically competent
 body endowed with functional autonomy vis-à-vis the 
budgetary
 authorities of the Member State in charge of monitoring the implementation of national fiscal rules;









Amendment 37






Proposal for a regulation


Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2











(2)


"independent macroeconomic forecasts" means the macroeconomic 
and/or budgetary
 forecasts produced by an independent body 
or a body
 endowed with functional autonomy vis-à-vis the 
fiscal
 authorities of the Member State;












(2)


"independent macroeconomic forecasts" means the macroeconomic forecasts produced 
or endorsed
 by an independent 
and technically competent
 body endowed with functional autonomy vis-à-vis the 
budgetary
 authorities of the Member State 
which complies with the minimum requirements laid down in Annex I. The Commission shall ensure the comparability and coherence of the independent forecasts across Member States
;









Amendment 38






Proposal for a regulation


Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5











(5)


‘government’
and
‘deficit’have the meaning' set out in Article 2 of the Protocol (No 12) on the excessive deficit procedure annexed to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.












(5)


‘government’
,
‘deficit’
and 'debt' mean, respectively, ‘government’, ‘deficit’ and 'debt' as defined in Article 2 of the Protocol No 12 on the excessive deficit procedure annexed to the Treaty on European Union and the TFEU;









Amendment 39






Proposal for a regulation


Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5 a (new)





 










(5a)






"Stability and Growth Pact" means the multilateral surveillance system laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 and the procedure for the avoidance of Member States' excessive deficit laid down in Article 126 TFEU and in Regulation (EC) No 1467/97;











Amendment 40






Proposal for a regulation


Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5 b (new)





 










(5b)






"a particularly serious non-compliance with the adjustment path towards the medium-term budgetary objective" means a deviation in the figures presented in the draft budget which is at least 1 % of GDP in a single year or at least 0,5 % of GDP on average per year in two consecutive years and that cannot be justified by exceptional circumstances or a severe economic downturn, after taking into account mitigating factors and spill-over effects, as described in Regulation (EC) No 1467/97 and Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011.











Amendment 41






Proposal for a regulation


Article 2 – paragraph 2 a (new)





 




2a.
   
The application of this Regulation is without prejudice to Article 9 TFEU.







Amendment 42






Proposal for a regulation


Chapter I a (new)





 




Chapter Ia




Economic policy coordination



Article 2a


Timeline for the European Semester for economic policy coordination referred to Article 2-a of Regulation (EC) No 1466/97



1.
   
The Member States' budgetary procedure shall be coherent with the framework of the European Semester, in accordance with an annual cycle which includes:










(a)






the Spring European Council policy orientations to individual Member States, based on the Annual Growth Survey, including the Commission's draft Joint Employment Report, and the annual reports under Article 3 of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011; such policy orientations will provide guidance to Member States in the drafting of their national reform programmes and their stability or convergence programmes, to be presented by Member States in April in accordance with Article 4(1) and Article 8(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1466/97;














(b)






the Summer European Council endorsement of the country-specific policy recommendations, according to the Commission opinions on the adequacy of Member States' national reform programmes and stability or convergence programmes, presented in accordance with Articles 121 and 148 TFEU.











Amendment 43






Proposal for a regulation


Chapter 2 – title














Amendment 44






Proposal for a regulation


Article 3 – paragraph 1





1.   Member States shall make public 
annually
 their medium-term fiscal plans in accordance with their medium-term budgetary framework based on independent macroeconomic 
forecast
 together with their 
Stability Programmes, no later than 15 April
.


1.   Member States shall
, in the context of the European Semester
 make public
, preferably by 15 April but
 no later than 
30 April each year,
 their 
national
 medium-term fiscal plans in accordance with their medium-term budgetary framework
,
 based on 
credible and
 independent macroeconomic 
forecasts
. 
Such plans shall be presented
 together with 
the national reform programmes and the stability or convergence programmes and shall be fully consistent with the policy orientations based on the annual growth survey and the annual reports under Article 3 of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011.







Amendment 45






Proposal for a regulation


Article 3 – paragraph 3





3.   Budget laws for the general government shall be adopted and made public annually no later than 31 December.


3.   Budget laws for the general government shall be adopted and made public annually no later than 31 December. 
Member States shall have in place reversionary budget procedures to be applied where objectively justified for reasons beyond the control of the Member State's government, the budget is not adopted or agreed and made public by 31 December.







Amendment 46






Proposal for a regulation


Article 4 – paragraph 1





1.   Member States shall have in place numerical fiscal rules 
on the budget balance
 that implement in the national budgetary processes their medium-term budgetary objective as defined in Article 2a of Regulation (EC) No 1466/97. Such rules shall cover the general government as a whole 
and be of binding, preferably constitutional, nature
.


1.   Member States shall have in place numerical fiscal rules that implement in the national budgetary processes their medium-term budgetary objective as defined in Article 2a of Regulation (EC) No 1466/97. 
Those rules shall also include the definition of exceptional circumstances and severe economic downturns which may lead to temporary deviation from the medium-term budgetary objective or the adjustment path towards it, provided that such deviation does not endanger fiscal sustainability in the medium term, as set out in Articles 5 and 6 of Regulation (EC) No 1466/97. Those rules shall include a mechanism, to be triggered in the case of significant deviation from the medium-term budgetary objective or the adjustment path towards it, aiming at ensuring a timely return to the medium-term objective
. Such rules shall cover the general government as a whole 
and shall be binding or otherwise guaranteed to be fully respected and complied with throughout the national budgetary process
.





Amendment 47






Proposal for a regulation


Article 4 – paragraph 2





2.   Member States shall have in place 
an independent
 fiscal council for monitoring the implementation of national fiscal rules as referred to in paragraph 1.


2.   Member States shall have in place 
a
 fiscal council for monitoring 
both ex ante and ex post
 the implementation of national fiscal rules 
which complies with the minimum requirements laid down in Annex I
.





Amendment 48






Proposal for a regulation


Article 5 – paragraph 1





1.   Member States shall submit annually to the Commission and the Eurogroup a draft budgetary plan for the forthcoming year no later than 
15 October
.


1.   Member States shall submit annually to the Commission and the Eurogroup a draft budgetary plan for the forthcoming year no later than 
1 October, taking into account the country-specific policy recommendations of the Summer European Council and any recommendations addressed to the Member State in the context of the Stability and Growth Pact or the macroeconomic imbalances procedure as established by Regulations (EU) No 1174/2011 and (EU) 1176/2011
.





Amendment 49






Proposal for a regulation


Article 5 – paragraph 2





2.   The draft budgetary plan shall be made public 
at the same time
.


2.   The draft budgetary plan, 
as set out in this Article
, shall be made public 
when submitted to the Commission
.





Amendment 50






Proposal for a regulation


Article 5 – paragraph 3 – point b











(b)


the projections at unchanged policies for expenditure and revenue as a percentage of GDP for the general government and their main components.;












(b)


the projections at unchanged policies for expenditure and revenue as a percentage of GDP for the general government and their main components; 
those projections shall cover both current expenditure and investment expenditure and, to that end, clear budgetary targets on current and investment expenditure shall be set and, in the case of investment expenditure, an evaluation of its economic returns shall be published;











Amendment 51






Proposal for a regulation


Article 5 – paragraph 3 – point c a (new)





 










(ca)






details of the expenditure directly linked to the achievement of the Union strategy for growth and jobs, including public investment, together with details of the link with the achievement of the budgetary objectives in the long term as well as a social impact assessment of the measures provided for in the budgetary plan;











Amendment 52






Proposal for a regulation


Article 5 – paragraph 3 – point d











(d)


a detailed description and a well-documented quantification of the measures to be included in the budget for the year to come in order to bridge the gap between the targets referred to in 
point
 (c) and the projections at unchanged policies provided in accordance with point (b). The description may be less detailed for measures with a budgetary impact estimated to be lower than 0,1 % of GDP. Particular attention shall be paid to major fiscal policy reform plans with potential spillover effects for other Member States whose currency is the euro.













(d)


a detailed description and a well-documented quantification of the measures to be included in the budget for the year to come in order to bridge the gap between the targets referred to in 
points
 (c) 
and (ca)
 and the projections at unchanged policies provided in accordance with point (b). The description may be less detailed for measures with a budgetary impact estimated to be lower than 0,1 % of GDP. Particular 
and explicit
 attention shall be paid to major fiscal policy reform plans with potential spill-over effects for other Member States whose currency is the euro;










Amendment 53






Proposal for a regulation


Article 5 – paragraph 3 – point e











(e)


the main assumptions about expected economic developments and important economic variables which are relevant to the achievement of the budgetary targets. 
These assumptions shall be based on independent macroeconomic growth forecast
;












(e)


the main assumptions about expected economic developments and important economic variables which are relevant to the achievement of the budgetary targets 
set in accordance with Article 4 of Directive 2011/85/EU
. 
The macroeconomic and budgetary forecasts shall include an estimation of the assumed impact on potential output and macroeconomic multiplier effects. The methodology, the economic and econometric underlying models and assumptions, as well as any other relevant parameter underpinning independent macroeconomic forecast shall be annexed to the annual medium-term fiscal plans
;









Amendment 54






Proposal for a regulation


Article 5 – paragraph 3 – point f











(f)


where applicable, additional indications on how the current recommendations addressed to the Member State concerned in accordance with 
Article
 121 of the Treaty in the budgetary area
 will be met
.














(f)


where applicable, additional indications on how the current recommendations addressed to the Member State concerned in accordance with 
Articles
 121 
and 148 TFEU will be met 
in accordance with points (a) to (ca);











Amendment 55






Proposal for a regulation


Article 5 – paragraph 3 – point f a (new)





 










(fa)






a quantification of the public investment needs and, as appropriate, of the budgetary impact together with an evaluation of the economic returns of the measures foreseen in the national reform programmes;











Amendment 56






Proposal for a regulation


Article 5 – paragraph 3 – point f b (new)





 










(fb)






an analysis of the contribution of reforms and investments included in the national reform programmes to the achievement of the objectives of stability programmes including a cost-benefit analysis of the reforms from a budgetary point of view.











Amendment 57






Proposal for a regulation


Article 5 – paragraph 4





4.   Where the budgetary targets reported in the draft budgetary plan in accordance with points (a) and 
(c)
 of paragraph 3 or the projections at unchanged policies differ from those in the most recent stability programme, the differences shall be duly explained.


4.   Where the budgetary targets reported in the draft budgetary plan in accordance with points (a) and 
(ca)
 of paragraph 3 or the projections at unchanged policies differ from those in the most recent stability programme, the differences shall be duly explained.





Amendment 58






Proposal for a regulation


Article 5 – paragraph 4 a (new)





 




4a.
   
The medium-term fiscal plans shall contain an updated projection of multiannual expenditure as a percentage of GDP for the general government and their main components as well as multiannual targets and commitments on expenditure earmarked to the achievement of the objectives embedded in the Union strategy for growth and jobs.







Amendment 59






Proposal for a regulation


Article 5 – paragraph 5





5.   
Where
 the Commission 
identifies particularly serious non-compliance with the budgetary policy obligations laid down in the Stability and Growth Pact, it shall, within two weeks from the submission of the draft budgetary plan, request a revised draft budgetary plan from the Member State concerned. This request shall be made public.


Paragraphs 2 to 4 
shall apply in case of revised draft budgetary plan.




5.   The Commission 
shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article -11 specifying the content of the draft budgetary plan referred to in paragraph 1 and the content of the provisions referred to in
 paragraphs 2 to 4
.







Amendment 60






Proposal for a regulation


Article 6 – paragraph -1 (new)





 




-1.
   
Where the Commission identifies a particularly serious non-compliance of the draft budgetary plan with the adjustment path towards the medium-term budgetary objective, it may request a revised draft budgetary plan, after adequate consultation of and explanation by the Member State. The request shall be made up to one month from the submission of the draft budgetary plan.




Article 5(2) and (4) shall apply to revised draft budgetary plans.







Amendment 61






Proposal for a regulation


Article 6 – paragraph 1





1.   The Commission shall
, if necessary,
 adopt an opinion on the draft budgetary plan by 
30
 November.


1.   The Commission shall adopt an opinion on the draft budgetary plan 
of each Member State no later than 15
 November.





Amendment 62






Proposal for a regulation


Article 6 – paragraph 2





2.   The Commission opinion shall be made public and
, at
 the request of the Parliament of the Member State concerned, shall be presented by the Commission to the Parliament concerned.


2.   The Commission opinion 
referred to in paragraph 1
 shall be made public and 
presented to the Eurogroup. At
 the request of the parliament of the Member State concerned 
or of the European Parliament, it
 shall be presented by the Commission to the parliament concerned.





Amendment 63






Proposal for a regulation


Article 6 – paragraph 3





3.   The Commission shall make an overall assessment of the budgetary situation and prospects in the euro area as a whole. The assessment shall be made public.


3.   The Commission shall make an overall assessment of the budgetary situation and prospects in the euro area as a whole. The 
overall
 assessment shall 
include stress tests that provide an indication of the risks to public finance sustainability in the event of adverse financial or budgetary developments. The assessment shall identify on a country-by-country basis potential negative spill-over effects on the sustainability of public finances of the Member States generated by their private sector or by other Member States.




The assessment shall
 be made public 
and shall be integrated in the forthcoming annual growth survey
. 
The Commission shall annex to the assessment a detailed summary of the Spring and Autumn forecasts for the euro area as a whole. The chosen baseline scenario for the assessment shall be described with reasoning and shall be built on a balanced account of downside and upside risks in order to consider the complete range of possible outcomes. The assessment shall disclose the methodologies, assumptions and relevant parameters that underpin its macroeconomic forecasts and stress tests as well as an ex post evaluation of the previous year baseline scenario.







Amendment 64






Proposal for a regulation


Article 6 – paragraph 4





4.   The Eurogroup shall discuss opinions of the Commission on the national budgetary plans and the budgetary situation and prospects in the euro area as a whole on the basis of the overall assessment made by the Commission in accordance with paragraph 3. The 
assessment
 shall be made public.


4.   The Eurogroup 
and the relevant committee of the European Parliament
 shall discuss opinions of the Commission on the national budgetary plans and the budgetary situation and prospects in the euro area as a whole on the basis of the overall assessment made by the Commission in accordance with paragraph 3. The 
outcome of that discussion
 shall be made public 
and shall be taken into account in the following European Semester, in particular in the annual growth survey
.





Amendment 65






Proposal for a regulation


Article 6 – paragraph 4 a (new)





 




4a.
   
Following the discussions between the Eurogroup and the relevant committee of the European Parliament, if appropriate the Commission shall update its specific recommendations in the framework of the annual growth survey aiming at reinforcing the common macroeconomic framework of the euro area as well as outlining supportive measures foreseen in case of adverse financial, economic or budgetary developments.







Amendment 66






Proposal for a regulation


Article 6 a (new)





 



Article 6a


Reporting on debt issuance



1.
   
Member States shall report to the Commission and the Eurogroup, ex-ante and in a timely manner, on their national debt issuance plans.




2.
   
The form and content of the reporting referred to in paragraph 1 shall be harmonised and laid down by the Commission in cooperation with the Member States.




3.
   
Issues relating to the annual debt issuance plan of the Member States, such as financial needs, renewal of outstanding debt, shall not be made public.







Amendment 67






Proposal for a regulation


Chapter III a (new)





 




Chapter IIIa




Establishment of a roadmap for enhanced economic policy coordination, a growth facility and a framework for enhanced debt issuance



Article 6b


Roadmap for enhanced economic policy coordination framework and growth facility



1.
   
By … (6), the Commission shall present a report establishing a roadmap towards euro area stability bonds. It shall also present a proposal for a euro area sustainable growth instrument aiming at mobilising approximately 1 % of GDP per year over a period of ten years, including an increase in the capital of the EIB and project bonds, to be invested in European infrastructure including science and technology. The instrument shall aim at creating the necessary conditions for sustainable growth in order to ensure the proper functioning of economic and monetary union and to safeguard the stability of the euro and thereby the sustainable coordination of Member States' budgetary discipline.




2.
   
The steps set up in Articles 6c and 6d are without prejudice of further steps being implemented before the end of this period.



Article 6c


Coordination of euro area Member State debt issuance



1.
   
With a view to better coordinating the planning and placement of their national debt issuance, Member States shall report ex ante on their public debt issuance plans to the Commission and to the Council.




2.
   
Member States whose currency is the euro shall seek to improve the financing conditions of their pubic debt by agreeing, following a proposal by the Commission, an annual coordinated public debt issuance framework.




3.
   
Member States cooperating under paragraph 2 may further improve and stabilise their financing conditions on the basis of the prevailing economic fundamentals and market conditions and following a methodology to be established by a regulation of the European Parliament and the Council.



Article 6d


European redemption fund



1.
   
As an element of the first step of the roadmap referred to in Article 6a, a European redemption fund (ERF) based on joint liability and strict fiscal discipline shall be established with the aim of reducing excessive debt over a period of 25 years to be adjusted according to actual growth figures. Following that period, the ERF shall be wound up.




2.
   
Member States whose currency is the euro and who are not subject to an assistance or adjustment programme shall:










(a)






transfer debt amounts above 60 % of GDP to the ERF over a roll-in period of five years;














(b)






have in place numerical fiscal rules that implement in the national budgetary processes their medium-term budgetary objective as described in Article 2a of Regulation (EC) No 1466/97;














(c)






implement a fiscal consolidation strategy and a structural reform agenda;














(d)






lodge guarantees to adequately cover loans provided by the ERF;














(e)






reduce their structural deficit during the roll-in period to comply with the budget rule in point (b).








3.
   
The Commission shall ensure the setting up and day-to-day management of the ERF, the details of which should be established in a Regulation from the European Parliament and the Council.




4.
   
Participation in the ERF shall be open to other Member States as from the entry into force of the decision of the Council of the European Union taken in accordance with Article 140(2) TFEU to abrogate their derogation from adopting the euro.




5.
   
Member States shall implement provisions in national law to ensure winding up and terminating the ERF after a maximum of 25 years adjustable according to actual growth figures.







Amendment 68






Proposal for a regulation


Article -7 (new)





 



Article -7


Economic partnership programmes



1.
   
If the Council, acting under Article 126(6) TFEU, decides that an excessive deficit exists in a Member State, the Member State concerned shall present to the Commission and to the Council an economic partnership programme describing the policy measures and structural reforms that are needed to ensure an effectively durable correction of the excessive deficit, as a detailed development of its national reform programme and its stability programme and fully taking into account the Council recommendations on the implementation of the integrated guidelines for the economic and employment policies of the Member State concerned.




2.
   
The economic partnership programme shall be fully consistent with the policies referred to in Article 1.




The economic partnership programme shall identify and select a number of specific budgetary priorities aiming at stabilising the economy in the short term, enhancing long-term sustainable growth and addressing structural weaknesses in the Member State concerned. Those priorities shall be aimed at rebalancing competitiveness according to the creation of European Added Value and shall be consistent with the Union strategy for growth and jobs. The Member State, in close coordination with the Commission, shall prepare a report outlining the selected programmes and projects including an action plan aiming at identifying, frontloading and mobilising financial resources, including EIB credit lines and relevant Union financial instruments. That report shall be updated on an annual basis.




3.
   
In the event of a severe economic downturn as defined in Article 2(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1467/97 or of a significant downside correction of forecasts, the Member State concerned shall adopt an updated adjustment path towards the medium-term budgetary objective to be agreed with the Commission taking into proper account pro-cyclical effects of consolidation measures. The application of the debt rule shall be coherently adjusted.




4.
   
The economic partnership programme shall be presented at the same time as the reports provided for in Article 3(4a) and Article 5(1a) of Regulation (EC) No 1467/97.




5.
   
The Council, acting by qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, shall adopt an opinion on the economic partnership programme.




6.
   
If a corrective action plan exists in accordance with Article 8(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011, the measures referred to in paragraph 1 shall be included in that plan.




7.
   
The implementation of the programme, and the annual budgetary plans consistent with it, shall be monitored by the Commission and by the Council.




8.
   
The competent committee of the European Parliament may offer the opportunity to the Member State concerned and the Commission to participate to an exchange of views. The competent committee of the European Parliament may invite other committees of the European Parliament to join in that exchange of views.







Amendment 69






Proposal for a regulation


Article 7 – paragraph 1





1.   
When
 the 
Council decides in accordance with Article 126(6) of the Treaty that an excessive deficit exists in a Member State,
 the Member State concerned shall 
be subject to paragraphs 2 to 5
 of this Article, until the abrogation of its excessive deficit procedure.


1.   
For
 the 
purpose of monitoring the partnership programme referred to in Article -7(7),
 the Member State concerned, 
on a request from the Commission,
 shall 
fulfil the requirements described in paragraphs 2 to 6
 of this Article, until the abrogation of its excessive deficit procedure.





Amendment 70






Proposal for a regulation


Article 7 – paragraph 2





2.   The Member State 
subject to closer monitoring
 shall 
without delay
 carry out a comprehensive assessment of in-year budgetary execution for the general government and its sub-sectors. The financial risks associated to government-owned entities and 
government contracts
 shall also be covered by the assessment to the extent that they may contribute to the existence of an excessive deficit. The result of this assessment shall be included in the report submitted in accordance with Article 3(4a) or 5(1a) of Regulation (EC) No 1467/97 on action taken to correct the excessive deficit.


2.   
On a request from the Commission,
 the Member State shall carry out a comprehensive assessment of in-year budgetary execution for the general government and its sub-sectors. The financial risks associated to government-owned entities and 
contingent liabilities with potentially large impacts on public budgets, as described in Council Directive 2011/85/EU
 shall also be covered by the assessment to the extent that they may contribute to the existence of an excessive deficit. The result of this assessment shall be included in the report submitted in accordance with Article 3(4a) or 5(1a) of Regulation (EC) No 1467/97 on action taken to correct the excessive deficit.





Amendment 71






Proposal for a regulation


Article 7 – paragraph 3





3.   Member State shall report regularly to the Commission and to the Economic and Financial Committee 
or any sub-committee it will designate for that purpose
, for the general government and its sub-sectors, the in-year budgetary execution, the budgetary impact of discretionary measures taken on both the expenditure and the revenue side, targets for the government expenditure and revenues, as well as information on the measures adopted and the nature of those envisaged to achieve the targets. The report shall be made public.


3.   
On a request from the Commission, the
 Member State shall report regularly to the Commission and to the Economic and Financial Committee, for the general government and its sub-sectors, the in-year budgetary execution, the budgetary impact of discretionary measures taken on both the expenditure and the revenue side, targets for the government expenditure and revenues, as well as information on the measures adopted and the nature of those envisaged to achieve the targets. The report shall be made public.




The Commission shall specify the content of the report referred to in this paragraph.


The Commission shall specify the content of the report referred to in this paragraph.


The competent committee of the European Parliament may offer the opportunity to the Member State concerned to participate in an exchange of views.







Amendment 72






Proposal for a regulation


Article 7 – paragraph 6 – point a











(a)


carry out and report on a comprehensive independent audit of the accounts of the general government conducted in coordination with national supreme audit institutions, aiming at assessing the reliability, completeness and accuracy of these public accounts for the purposes of the excessive deficit procedure. In this context, the Commission (Eurostat) shall assess the quality of data reported by the Member State concerned in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 679/2010;












(a)


carry out and report on a comprehensive independent audit of the accounts of the general government conducted in coordination with national supreme audit institutions, aiming at assessing the reliability, completeness and accuracy of these public accounts for the purposes of the excessive deficit procedure. In this context, the Commission (Eurostat) shall assess the quality of data reported by the Member State concerned in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 479/2009, as regards the quality of statistical data in the context of the excessive deficit procedure;











Amendment 73






Proposal for a regulation


Article 8 – paragraph 2





2.   In case of risks of non-compliance with the deadline to correct the excessive deficit, the Commission shall address a recommendation to the Member State concerned for 
adoption
 of 
further
 measures within a timeframe consistent with the deadline for the correction of its excessive deficit referred to in paragraph 1. The recommendation by the Commission shall be made public
,
 and
,
 at the request of the Parliament of the Member State concerned, shall be presented by the Commission to the Parliament concerned.


2.   Where there is a risk of non-compliance with the deadline to correct the excessive deficit 
and where those risks are not due to circumstances beyond the control of the Member State concerned,
 the Commission shall address a recommendation to the Member State concerned for 
the diligent implementation
 of 
the
 measures 
provided for in the initial recommendations
 within a timeframe consistent with the deadline for the correction of its excessive deficit referred to in paragraph 1. The recommendation by the Commission shall be made public, and, at the request of the parliament of the Member State concerned, 
it
 shall be presented by the Commission to the parliament concerned.





Amendment 74






Proposal for a regulation


Article 8 – paragraph 3





3.   Within the timeframe set by the Commission recommendation referred to in paragraph 2, the Member State concerned shall report to the Commission on measures 
adopted
 in response to this recommendation 
together with the reports provided for in Article 7(3). The report shall include the budgetary impact of all discretionary measures taken, targets for the government expenditure and revenues, information on the measures adopted and the nature of those envisaged to achieve the targets, as well as information on the other actions being taken in response to the Commission recommendation
. The report shall be made public.


3.   Within the timeframe set by the Commission recommendation referred to in paragraph 2, the Member State concerned shall 
additionally
 report to the Commission on 
the
 measures 
implemented
 in response to this recommendation. The report shall be made public.





Amendment 75






Proposal for a regulation


Article -11 (new)





 



Article -11


Exercise of the delegation



1.
   
The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.




2.
   
The delegation of power referred to in Article 5(5) shall be conferred on the Commission for a period of three years from the date of entry into force of this Regulation. The Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation of power not later than nine months before the end of the three-year period. The delegation of power shall be tacitly extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the European Parliament or the Council opposes such extension not later than three months before the end of each period.




3.
   
The delegation of powers referred to in Article 5(5) may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision of revocation shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.




4.
   
As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.




5.
   
A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 5(5) shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or the Council.







Amendment 76






Proposal for a regulation


Article -11 a (new)





 



Article -11a


Economic Dialogue



In order to enhance the dialogue between the Union institutions, in particular the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, and to ensure greater transparency and accountability, the competent committee of the European Parliament may invite the President of the Council, the Commission and, where appropriate, the President of the European Council or the President of the Eurogroup to appear before the committee to discuss decisions taken pursuant to Article 5(5), Article 6(4), Article 7(5), Article 8(4) and Article 9(3).




The competent committee of the European Parliament may offer the opportunity to the Member State concerned by such decisions to participate in an exchange of views.







Amendment 77






Proposal for a regulation


Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)





 










(ba)






the contribution of this Regulation to the achievement of the Union strategy for growth and jobs.











Amendment 78






Proposal for a regulation


Article 11 – paragraph 3 a (new)





 




3a.
   
As soon as possible and no later than 31 December 2012, the Commission shall present a report to the European Parliament and to the Council examining the feasibility of options and making proposals for a possible roadmap towards common issuance of public debt instruments, taking account of financial, fiscal and legal conditions. The Commission shall pay particular attention to the feasibility of introducing a redemption fund which combines temporary common issuance of debt and strict rules on fiscal adjustment.







Amendment 79






Proposal for a regulation


Article 11 a (new)





 



Article 11a


Commission report



By … (7), the Commission shall put forward a report, and if necessary a proposal, to the European Parliament and to the Council, setting out how coordination and ex ante discussions among Member States of any major economic and fiscal policy reform plans with potential spill-over effects are to operate, what form that coordination and those discussions are to take, what policies are contemplated, and the likely political consequences - to Member States and, in particular, to the national parliaments - of decisions arising from such coordination and ex ante discussions.







Amendment 80






Proposal for a regulation


Article 11 b (new)





 



Article 11b


European debt authority



By … (8), the Commission shall put forward a report, and if necessary a proposal, to the European Parliament and to the Council, evaluating the possibility of the creation of a European debt authority, responsible for managing and coordinating all issues relating to the annual debt issuance plan of the Member States, the renewal of Member States' outstanding debt and the assessment of the sustainability of all Member States' government debt. The Commission's report shall also evaluate the possible annual publication of data relating to Member States' public debt, deficit and other macroeconomic indicators.







Amendment 81






Proposal for a regulation


Annex I (new)





 




Common principles for Independent Fiscal Institutions (IFIs)








—




Ownership: without prejudice to the principles set out below, the characteristics of IFIs should be consistent with the Member State's legal framework and political and administrative system. Design choices may have to take into account capacity constraints in smaller Member States.












—




Mandate: the mandate of IFIs should be clearly defined in legislation to prevent unwarranted interference from fiscal authorities or unwarranted extension of its mandate at the expense of fiscal authorities' powers or the prerogatives of national parliaments.












—




Resources: the resources allocated to IFIs should be commensurate with their mandate in order to fulfil it in a credible manner.












—




Accountability: statutory mechanisms should be put in place to encourage appropriate accountability to the legislature. The reports and analyses of IFIs should be published and made available free of charge.












—




Leadership: senior appointments should be selected on the basis of merit, experience and technical competence, in particular as regards the budget process. The appointment process may involve several institutions, for instance through a parliamentary confirmation procedure or whereby several institutions designate each one or several members. Term lengths that the leadership of IFIs serve should be clearly specified in legislation, should be non-renewable, and should preferably extend beyond the parliamentary term. Termination of contracts should be strictly limited to cases where members are guilty of serious misconduct.












—




Staff: staff of IFIs should be selected through open competition based on merit and technical competence. Conditions of employment should be along the lines of that of the civil service.












—




Access to information, transparency and communication policy: as a rule, IFIs should be guaranteed full access in legislation to all relevant information needed to discharge effectively their mandate in a timely manner. Any restrictions to the rule should also be clearly defined. Without prejudice to that legislation, the capability of IFIs to communicate in a timely manner through available media channels should not be impeded. If housed in another entity, it should be made clear that opinions only commit IFIs and not the host institution.












(1)  The matter was then referred back to committee pursuant to Rule 57(2), second subparagraph (A7-0173/2012).

(2)  

OJ L 306, 23.11.2011, p. 12.



(3)  

OJ L 306, 23.11.2011, p. 33.



(4)  

OJ L 306, 23.11.2011, p. 1.



(5)  

OJ L 306, 23.11.2011, p. 25.



(6)  
OJ please insert date: one month after entry into force of this Regulation.



(7)  
OJ please insert date: three months after entry into force of this Regulation.



(8)  
OJ please insert date: three months after entry into force of this Regulation.