On 22 February, the Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs of the European Commission, together with the European Economic and Social Committee, organised an online stakeholder conference on the Economic Governance Review.
The aim of the stakeholder event was to ensure a wide-ranging and inclusive debate involving civil society, trade unions, employer representatives and citizens. The event began with keynote speeches by Christa Schweng, President of the European Economic and Social Committee, and Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni. Panelists from EU institutions and bodies, social partners and representatives of non-governmental organisations provided their views on the strands of the review.
The sessions promoted a horizontal discussion cutting across the various themes of the review, with debates on issues including debt sustainability and growth, macro-economic imbalances, investment, and the implementation of the rules.
#EUEconomicGovernance
Presentations
Recording
Joint ECFIN-EESC Conference: the way forward for EU economic governance: part 1
Joint ECFIN-EESC Conference: the way forward for EU economic governance: part 2
- Tuesday 22 February 2022, 09:10 (CET)
- Online only
- Live streaming available
Programme
- 22 Feb 2022, 09:10 - 09:30 (CET)
The review of the economic governance framework
A time for reflection on the way forward for EU economic governance in the context of the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on public finances
Keynote speeches
Christa Schweng, EESC PresidentCommissioner Gentiloni
- 09:30 - 11:00 (CET)
Session 1: Social cohesion, debt sustainability and growthIs high public debt the result of weak fiscal discipline or is it due to low growth? How can fiscal and economic policies deliver fair outcomes for present and future generations? Should Member States focus on consolidating their public finances or should they prioritise structural reforms? Can fiscal consolidation be growth friendly.
Presentation by Margarida Marques, rapporteur for the European Parliament report on the review of the macroeconomic legislative framework
Panel discussion and Q&A
ChairStefano Palmieri, President of the Section for Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion, EESC
Panellists:
- James Watson (Director of Economics, BusinessEurope)
- Luca Visentini (General Secretary, ETUC)
- Thierry Philipponnat (Head of Research and Advocacy, Finance Watch)
- Iolanda Fresnillo (Policy and Advocacy Manager on Debt, Eurodad - European Network on Debt and Development)
- Eva Zamrazilová (Chair of the Czech National Fiscal Council)
- Maria Demertzis (Bruegel)
- 11:00 - 11:30 (CET)
Coffee break
- 11:30 - 13:00 (CET)
Session 2: Re-designing the EU economic governance framework for the twin transition
Can EU economic governance resolve the investment gap challenge to achieve the climate and digital transitions? What should be the EU’s role regarding fiscal policy? What should be kept at national level? How should local authorities be involved in the economic governance framework?
Presentation by Dominika Biegon, rapporteur for the EESC own-initiative opinion on reshaping the EU fiscal framework for a sustainable recovery and a just transition
Panel discussion and Q&A
Chair:Reinhard Felke, DG ECFIN
Panellists:
- Isabelle Brachet (EU Fiscal Reform Policy Coordinator, Climate Action Network)
- Richard van Zwol (Chair of the network of EU IFIs)
- Bojan Ivanc (Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Slovenia)
- Marcello Messori (Senior Fellow, Luiss School of European Political Economy)
- Francesco Saraceno (Sciences Po)
- 13:00 - 13:10 (CET)
Closing, Maarten Verwey, Director-General, DG ECFIN
Practical information
- When
- Tuesday 22 February 2022, 09:10 (CET)
- Where
- Online only