This paper analyzes recent macroeconomic developments in the eurozone, particularly in Germany. Several economic indicators are sending signals of a looming German recession. Geopolitical tensions caused by trade disputes between the United States and China, plus the risk of a disorderly Brexit,...

The Swiss debt brake is a fiscal rule at central government level which aims at stabilizing debt. However, business cycle fluctuations are also accounted for. This paper discusses criticism of the debt brake that it cannot feasibly simultaneously achieve either anti-cyclical or sustainable...

The study looks at primary expenditure developments in the euro area, its three largest members and four "macro-imbalances" countries for the period 1999-2009. It compares actual expenditure trends with those that would have prevailed if countries had followed neutral policies based on...

The German experience of the crisis was very different compared to those of most other countries in Europe. Germany was hit by a very strong shock which was relatively concentrated in the exporting, manufacturing industries. In addition, the German labour market was very resilient during the...

The present paper analyzes expectations of German politicians about the German debt brake (Schuldenbremse), which became part of the German constitution in 2009. This fiscal rule requires the federal government and the German states to run a (cyclically adjusted) budget deficit of no more than...

The study looks at primary expenditure developments in the euro area, its three largest members and four “macro-imbalances” countries for the period 1999-2009. It compares actual expenditure trends with those that would have prevailed if countries had followed neutral policies based on...

Based on a conjoint survey experiment we explore the support among European citizens for a European Union (EU) budgetary assistance instrument to combat adverse temporary or permanent economic shocks hitting Member States. Suitably designed, there is quite substantial support for such an EU...

Der Koalitionsvertrag erschwert Steuererhöhungen. Die Bundesregierung benötigt aber Einnahmen für politisch erwünschte Projekte. Aus diesem Grund plant die Regierung, den Tilgungsplan für die Coronakredite zu strecken. Diese Politik mindert die Tilgungsbelastung in der Gegenwart und schafft...

Im Vergleich zu zwei vorausgegangenen Tragfähigkeitsanalysen von 2005 und 2008, die das ifo Institut für das Bundesministerium der Finanzen (BMF) durchgeführt hat, berücksichtigt die Studie jüngste Entwicklungen wie die Finanzmarktkrise und erweitert den Zeithorizont bis 2060. Gegenstand...