This paper develops a theoretical model which explains several stylized facts observed in the euro area interbank market after the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008. The model shows that if costs of participating in the interbank market are high, the central bank assumes an intermediary...

Jean Pisani-Ferry and André Sapir believe that the euro has proved attractive as a fair-weather currency for countries and investors well beyond its borders. But it still remains to be seen if its governance is strong enough for it to succeed as a stormy-weather currency. The authors already...

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...

Since the start of EMU national fiscal policy in the Eurozone can be conducted almost without paying any attention to consequences for the exchange rate. This might lower fiscal discipline. In order to shed light on the empirical relevance of this consideration, the impact of the exchange rate...

Ende November 2003 ist das Defizitverfahren nach Art. 104 EG Vertrag gegen Deutschland und Frankreich ausgesetzt worden. Ist damit der Stabilitäts- und Wachstumspakt gescheitert? Muß er reformiert werden? Welche Reformoptionen gibt es?

Die Schuldenkrise in der EWU ist entstanden, weil sich die Staaten in 'fremder Währung' verschulden müssen. Diese Konstellation war als Ordnungsrahmen bei der Gründung der Währungsunion vorgesehen, führte aber dazu, dass sich die Staaten von den internationalen Finanzmärkten abhängig...

This paper formulates a dynamic Random Coefficient Model (RCM) to consider a set of popular determinants of public deficits in the EU-15 over the period 1971-2006, both at a country-specific level and from a population-wide perspective. Although the extent of government deficits and debt has...