Higher debts in the Stability and Growth Pact

2.10.2015

Question for written answer P-013460-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Georg Mayer (ENF)

Pierre Moscovici, Commissioner for economic and monetary affairs, has said in an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung that he wishes to permit exceptions in the Stability and Growth Pact. As grounds for this he mentioned the refugee crisis. The idea is that the costs arising from it should be regarded not as debts but as ‘investments’. The refugee crisis should be regarded as an exceptional circumstance as provided for by the Stability and Growth Pact. So far, the European Union has not found any longer-term solution to this crisis.

1. What are the criteria for classifying a situation as exceptional?

2. Is any situation in which the Commission fails to put forward any practicable solutions ‘exceptional’ as referred to in the Stability and Growth Pact?

3. Are higher debts the only way out of the refugee crisis that the Commission can propose?