Chapter 1. Introduction -- Chapter 2. Fiscal Policy and Government Debt in the 21st Century -- Chapter 3. European Debt Crisis and Flaws of the Euro Area -- Chapter 4. Sovereign Debt Channels in the Euro Area -- Chapter 5. European Fiscal and Debt Union -- Chapter 6. Specific Characteristics of...

The "Great Lockdown" implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a severe world-wide economic crisis. In euro area countries, sovereign debt-to-GDP ratios are on the rise and reductions in expected fiscal surpluses raise sustainability concerns amongst investors. This paper...