We investigate the effect of fiscal institutions such as the strength of the finance minister in the budget process and deficits on interest spreads contained in bond yields of the countries now belonging to the Eurozone. Deficits significantly increase risk premia measured by relative swap...

In Reaktion auf die Finanzkrise hat das Eurosystem seine Geldpolitik massiv gelockert. So hat die Europäische Zentralbank (EZB) nicht nur den maßgeblichen Leitzins deutlich gesenkt, sondern auch mit außergewöhnlichen liquiditätspolitischen Maßnahmen den Geschäftsbanken unbegrenzt...

This paper uses a new data set on budgetary institutions in Europe to examine the impact of fiscal rules and budget procedures in EU countries on public finances. It briefly describes the main pattern of budgetary institutions and their determinants across the EU 15 member states. Empirical...

In the European Union, the creation of public debt statistics starts with member state governments' reports. The EU's statistical agency-Eurostat-then revises. How do these actors' incentives shape reported numbers? Governments have incentives to take a more favourable view of often ambiguous...