Stability and Growth Pact: Implementation of the “comply or explain rule” (March 2015)

Briefing 26-03-2015

In accordance with Regulation 1466/97 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies (Article 2ab) and in accordance with Regulation 1467/97 on speeding up and clarifying the implementation of the excessive deficit procedure (Article 2a), the Council is, as a rule, expected to follow the recommendations and proposals of the Commission or explain its position publicly ["comply or explain"]. This document presents recent developments regarding the implementation of this rule, including the case of the recently revised recommendation to France under the Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP).