Economic priorities

The resolution on economic priorities, adopted with 392 votes in favour, 219 against and 18 abstentions, notes some worrying economic trends, notably on public debt, economic growth and inflation.

MEPs point to the fact that the so-called “escape clauses” in the EU’s revised economic governance rules – which allow for the temporary suspension of the rules – have already been invoked by member states only a year after the rules came into force. They also note the persistence of a tax gap (expected versus actual tax revenues) in several member states.

On the country specific recommendations (CSRs), a key element of the European Semester cycle, MEPs call on the Commission to rethink the way CSRs are elaborated and followed up, in particular with regard to their future role in the access to EU funds. They also reiterate their demand for fewer and more targeted CSRs and want the Commission to clarify the procedures and selection criteria used to propose them.

The…