Procedure : 2011/0385(COD)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected : A7-0172/2012

Texts tabled :

A7-0172/2012

Debates :

PV 12/06/2012 - 5
CRE 12/06/2012 - 5

Votes :

PV 13/06/2012 - 7.4
CRE 13/06/2012 - 7.4
Explanations of votes
Explanations of votes
Explanations of votes
PV 12/03/2013 - 10.2
PV 12/03/2013 - 10.10
CRE 12/03/2013 - 10.2
CRE 12/03/2013 - 10.10

Texts adopted :

P7_TA(2012)0242
P7_TA(2013)0069

REPORT     ***I
PDF 410kDOC 625k
24 May 2012
PE 483.472v04-00 A7-0172/2012

on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the strengthening of economic and budgetary surveillance of Member States experiencing or threatened with serious difficulties with respect to their financial stability in the euro area

(COM(2011)0819 – C7-0449-2011 – 2011/0385(COD))

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

Rapporteur: Jean-Paul Gauzès

AMENDMENTS
DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION
 EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
 OPINION of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
 PROCEDURE

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the strengthening of economic and budgetary surveillance of Member States experiencing or threatened with serious difficulties with respect to their financial stability in the euro area

(COM(2011)0819 – C7-0449-2011 – 2011/0385(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2011)0819),

–   having regard to Article 294(2) and Articles 136 and 121(6) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C7-0449-2011),

–   having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

-    having regard to the opinion of the European Central Bank of 7 March 2012(1),

–   having regard to Rule 55 of its Rules of Procedure,

–   having regard to the report of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and the opinion of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (A7-0172/2012),

1.  Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;

2.  Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it intends to amend its proposal substantially or replace it with another text;

3.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

Amendment  1

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(1) The unprecedented global crisis that has hit the world over the last three years has seriously damaged economic growth and financial stability and provoked a strong deterioration in the government deficit and debt position of the Member States, leading a number of them to seek financial assistance outside the framework of the Union.

(1) The unprecedented global crisis that has hit the world since 2007 has seriously damaged economic growth and financial stability and provoked a strong deterioration in the government deficit and debt position of the Member States, leading a number of them to seek financial assistance outside and within the framework of the Union.

Amendment  2

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(1a) Article 9 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) provides that, in defining and implementing its policies and actions, the Union is to take into account requirements linked to the promotion of a high level of employment, the guarantee of adequate social protection, the fight against social exclusion, and a high level of education, training and protection of human health.

Amendment  3

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(2) The full consistency between the Union multilateral surveillance framework established by the Treaty and the possible policy conditions attached to this financial assistance should be enshrined in Union law. The economic and financial integration of the Member States whose currency is the euro calls for a reinforced surveillance to prevent a contagion from a Member State experiencing difficulties with respect to its financial stability to the rest of the euro area.

(2) The full consistency between the Union multilateral surveillance framework established by the Treaty and the possible policy conditions attached to this financial assistance should be enshrined in Union law. The economic and financial integration of all Member States, in particular those whose currency is the euro, calls for enhanced surveillance to prevent contagion from a Member State experiencing difficulties with respect to its financial stability to the rest of the euro area and, more broadly, to the Union as a whole.

Amendment  4

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 3

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(3) The intensity of the economic and fiscal surveillance should be commensurate to the severity of the financial difficulties encountered and should take due account of the nature of the financial assistance received, which may range from a mere precautionary support based on eligibility conditions up to a full macro-economic adjustment programme involving strict policy conditionality.

(3) The intensity of the economic and fiscal surveillance should be commensurate with and proportionate to the severity of the financial difficulties encountered and should take due account of the nature of the financial assistance received, which may range from a mere precautionary support based on eligibility conditions up to a full macro-economic adjustment programme involving strict policy conditionality. Any macro-economic adjustment programme should take into account the national reform programme of the Member State concerned in the context of the Union strategy for growth and jobs.

Amendment  5

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 4

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(4) A Member State whose currency is the euro should be subject to enhanced surveillance when it is experiencing - or at risk of experiencing - severe financial disturbance, with a view to ensuring its swift return to a normal situation and to protecting the other euro area Member States against possible negative spill over effects. This enhanced surveillance should include a wider access to the information needed for a close monitoring of the economic, fiscal and financial situation and a regular reporting to the Economic and Financial Committee (EFC) or to any sub-committee the latter may designate for that purpose. The same modalities of surveillance should apply to Member States requesting precautionary assistance from the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or another international financial institution.

(4) A Member State whose currency is the euro should be subject to enhanced surveillance when it is experiencing - or at risk of experiencing - severe financial disturbance, with a view to ensuring its swift return to a normal situation and to protecting the other euro area Member States against possible negative spill over effects. This enhanced surveillance should be proportionate to the seriousness of the problems and should be graduated accordingly. It should include a wider access to the information needed for a close monitoring of the economic, fiscal and financial situation and a regular reporting to the competent committee of the European Parliament and to the Economic and Financial Committee (EFC) or to any sub-committee the latter may designate for that purpose. The same modalities of surveillance should apply to Member States requesting precautionary assistance from the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or another international financial institution.

Amendment  6

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 4 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(4a) A Member State subject to enhanced surveillance should also adopt measures aimed at addressing the sources or potential sources of its difficulties. To that end, all recommendations addressed to it in the course of an excessive deficit procedure or an excessive macroeconomic imbalance procedure should be taken into account.

Amendment  7

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 5

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(5) The surveillance of the economic and fiscal situation should be strongly reinforced for Member States under macro-economic adjustment programme. Because of the comprehensive nature of the latter, the other processes of economic and fiscal surveillance should be suspended for the duration of the macro-economic adjustment programme, with a view to avoiding a duplication of reporting obligations.

(5) The surveillance of the economic and fiscal situation should be strongly reinforced for Member States under macro-economic adjustment programme. Because of the comprehensive nature of the latter, the other processes of economic and fiscal surveillance should be suspended or, where appropriate, streamlined for the duration of the macro-economic adjustment programme, with a view to ensuring consistency of economic policy surveillance and avoiding a duplication of reporting obligations. However, when preparing the macro-economic adjustment programme, all recommendations addressed to the Member State in the course of an excessive deficit procedure or an excessive macroeconomic imbalance procedure should be taken into account.

Amendment  8

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 5 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(5a) According to the case-law of the European Court of Justice of the European Union1, the free movement of capital, as a fundamental principle of the TFEU, can be limited by national regulation where justified on grounds of public security. Grounds of public security can include the fight against tax evasion, in particular for Member States experiencing or threatened with serious difficulties with respect to their financial stability in the euro area.

 

_____________

 

1 See Cases C-463/00 and C-174/04.

Amendment  9

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 5 b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(5b) Such tax evasion represents a shortfall in revenue, which can be equal or even superior to the amount of the financial assistance from one or several Member States, the IMF, the EFSF, the EFSM or the ESM, and first and foremost results from the faulty implementation of the national tax policy.

Amendment  10

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 5 c (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(5c) Upon a proposal by the Commission and after consulting the European Central Bank, the Council can authorise restrictions concerning third countries responsible for movements of capital serious difficulties for the operation of the economic and monetary union, in accordance with Article 66 TFEU.

Amendment  11

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 6a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(6a) Member States should involve, in accordance with current national rules and practices, the social partners and civil society organisations in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of technical assistance programmes.

Amendment  12

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 7

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(7) A decision regarding the non-compliance of a Member State with its adjustment programme would also entail a suspension of payments or commitments of Union funds as provided by Article 21(6) of Regulation (EU) No XXX laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund covered by the common strategic framework and laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006,

deleted

Amendment  13

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 7 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(7a) There may be circumstances where protecting a Member State from market volatility offers a better long-term outcome in relation to stabilising that Member State's economic situation and its ability to honour its debt. In such instances a Member State could temporarily be put under legal protection, on the basis of a decision by the Commission. The Council should be able to repeal such a Commission decision by the appropriate majority..

Amendment  14

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 7 b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(7b) References to financial assistance in this Regulation should also cover financial support granted on a precautionary basis, unless provided otherwise.

Amendment  15

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 7 c (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(7c) The decision of the Commission to subject a Member State to enhanced surveillance under this Regulation should be taken in close cooperation with the EFC, the European Systemic Risk Board and the relevant European supervisory authorities. The Commission should also cooperate with the EFC when deciding on whether to prolong enhanced surveillance,

Amendment                16

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1. This Regulation sets out provisions for strengthening the economic and budgetary surveillance of Member States experiencing or threatened with serious difficulties with respect to their financial stability and/or that receive or may receive financial assistance from one or several other States, the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), the European Financial Stability Mechanism (EFSM), the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) or other International Financial Institutions (IFI), such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

1. This Regulation sets out provisions for strengthening the economic and budgetary surveillance of Member States whose currency is the euro and which:

 

- experience or are threatened with serious difficulties with respect to their financial stability and/or the sustainability of their public finances, leading to potential negative spill-over effects on other Member States of the euro area; and/or

 

- request or receive financial assistance from one or several other Member States, the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), the European Financial Stability Mechanism (EFSM), the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) or other international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Amendment  17

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

1a. This Regulation sets out provisions for enhanced national budgetary rules and economic policy coordination.

Amendment  18

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 1a

 

Enhanced budgetary rules and economic coordination

 

1. With a view to coordinating better the planning of their national debt issuance, Member States shall report in advance on their public debt issuance plans to the Commission and to the Council.

 

2. With a view to benchmarking best practices and working towards a more closely coordinated economic policy, Member States shall ensure that all major economic policy reforms that they plan to undertake are discussed in advance and, where appropriate, shall coordinate those reforms with the other Member States.

 

3. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1466/97, Member States shall ensure that the budgetary position of the general government is balanced or in surplus over the medium term.

Amendment  19

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 2 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

2a. In applying this Regulation, the Commission, the Council and the Member States shall fully observe Article 152 TFEU and the recommendations adopted under this Regulation shall respect national practices and institutions for wage formation. In applying this Regulation and the recommendations adopted hereunder, the Commission, the Council and the Member States shall take into account Article 28 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and, accordingly, does not affect the right to negotiate, conclude and enforce collective agreements and to take collective action in accordance with national law and practices.

Amendment  20

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1. The Commission may decide to make a Member State experiencing severe difficulties with regard to its financial stability subject to enhanced surveillance. The Member State concerned shall be given the possibility to express its views beforehand. The Commission shall decide every six months whether to prolong the enhanced surveillance.

1. On the basis of the latest in-depth review in accordance with Article 5 of the Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011, and taking into account additional objective criteria, including warnings by the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB), as well as the reports referred to in Regulation (EU) No .../2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of ... [on common provisions for monitoring and assessing draft budgetary plans and ensuring the correction of excessive deficit of the Member States in the euro area], the Commission may decide to make a Member State subject to enhanced surveillance. The Council may, within 10 days of such a decision, repeal it by qualified majority. The Member State concerned shall be given the possibility to express its views before the decision is taken. The Commission shall decide every six months whether to prolong the enhanced surveillance. Where the Commission decides to put a Member State under enhanced surveillance it shall duly notify the ESRB and, where relevant, inform them of the results of the enhanced surveillance.

Amendment  21

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – paragraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

1a. Where the Commission decides to make a Member State subject to enhanced surveillance under paragraph 1, it shall duly notify the ESRB and, where relevant, inform the Member State of the results of the enhanced surveillance.

Justification

The sovereign debt crisis has also demonstrated the interlinkage between sovereign debt, financial stability and bank solvency. In order to aid the ESRB in identifying systemic risks they should be informed when a Member State is put under enhanced surveillance.

Amendment  22

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2. The Commission shall decide to make a Member State receiving a financial assistance on a precautionary basis from one or several other States, the EFSF, the ESM or any other International Financial Institution, such as the IMF, subject to enhanced surveillance. The Commission shall establish a list of the precautionary financial assistance instruments concerned and keep it updated to take into account possible changes in the financial support policy of the EFSF, ESM or of any other relevant International Financial Institution.

2. The Commission shall decide to make a Member State requesting or receiving a financial assistance on a precautionary basis from one or several other States, the EFSF, the EFSM, the ESM or any other international financial institution such as the IMF, subject to enhanced surveillance..

 

The Commission shall make public its decisions taken in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2.

Amendment  23

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

3. Paragraph 2 shall not apply to a Member State receiving a financial assistance on a precautionary basis in the form of a credit line which is not conditioned to the adoption of new policy measures by the concerned Member State, as long as the credit line is not drawn.

3. The Commission may decide that paragraph 2 shall not apply to a Member State receiving a financial assistance on a precautionary basis in the form of a credit line which is not conditioned to the adoption of new policy measures by the concerned Member State, as long as the credit line is not drawn.

Amendment  24

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – paragraph 3a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

3a. The Commission shall establish a list of the financial assistance instruments which can trigger the enhanced surveillance under paragraph 2 and shall keep that list updated.

Amendment  25

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1. A Member State under enhanced surveillance shall, in consultation and cooperation with the Commission, acting in liaison with the European Central Bank (ECB), adopt measures aimed at addressing the sources or potential sources of difficulties.

1. A Member State subject to enhanced surveillance shall, in consultation and cooperation with the Commission, acting in liaison with the European Central Bank (ECB), the European Supervisory Authority (European Banking Authority) established by Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council1, the European Supervisory Authority (European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority) established by Regulation (EU) No 1094/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council2 and the European Supervisory Authority (European Securities and Markets Authority) established by Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council3 (collectively referred to as 'the ESAs'), the ESRB and, where appropriate, the IMF, adopt measures aimed at addressing the sources or potential sources of difficulties, taking into account any recommendations addressed to them under Regulations (EU) No 1466/97, 1467/97 or 1176/2011 concerning their national reform programmes and their stability or convergence programmes. The Eurogroup Working Group, the Economic and Financial Committee (EFC), the relevant committee of the European Parliament and the parliament of the Member State concerned shall be informed of those measures.

 

______________

 

1 OJ L 331, 15.12.2010, p. 12.

 

2 OJ L 331, 15.12.2010, p. 48.

 

3 OJ L 331, 15.12.2010, p. 84.

Amendment  26

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

1a. The Commission shall examine potential negative spill-over effects generated by other Member States including in the field of taxation. Where the Commission has identified such negative spill-over effects, the Council, on a recommendation from the Commission, shall address, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 121(2) TFEU the necessary recommendations to the Member States generating the negative spill-over effects.

Amendment  27

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

3. On a request from the Commission, the Member State under enhanced surveillance shall:

3. On a request from the Commission, a Member State under enhanced surveillance pursuant to Article 2(1) shall:

Amendment  28

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point a

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(a) communicate to the Commission, the ECB and the European Banking Authority (EBA) at the requested frequency disaggregated information on the financial situation of the financial institutions which are under the surveillance of its national supervisors;

(a) communicate to the relevant ESAs, in accordance with Article 35 of Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010, of Regulation (EU) No 1094/2010 and of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010, at the requested frequency, disaggregated information on developments in its financial system, including an analysis of the results of the stress test exercises and sensitivity analyses carried out under point (b). On the basis of the conclusions drawn from the underlying indicators of the scoreboard for macroeconomic imbalances, the relevant ESAs shall prepare, in liaison with the ESRB, an assessment of the potential vulnerabilities of the financial system and submit that assessment to the Commission at the frequency indicated by the latter and to the ECB;

Amendment  29

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point b

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(b) carry out, under the supervision of the European Banking Authority, stress test exercises or sensitivity analyses as necessary to assess the resilience of the banking sector to various macroeconomic and financial shocks, as specified by the Commission and the ECB, and share the detailed results with them;

(b) carry out, under the supervision of the relevant ESAs, stress test exercises or sensitivity analyses as necessary to assess the resilience of the financial sector to various macroeconomic and financial shocks, as specified by the Commission and the ECB in liaison with the relevant ESAs and the ESRB;

Amendment  30

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point c

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(c) be subject to regular assessments of its supervisory capacities over the banking sector in the framework of specific peer review carried out by the EBA;

(c) be subject to regular assessments of its supervisory capacities over the financial sector in the framework of a specific peer review carried out by the relevant ESAs;

Amendment  31

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point d

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(d) communicate any information needed for the monitoring of macro-imbalances established by Regulation No XXX of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances.

(d) communicate any information needed for the monitoring of macroeconomic imbalances in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011.

Amendment  32

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

3a. On a request from the Commission, a Member State under enhanced surveillance pursuant to Article 2(2) shall:

 

(a) communicate to the Commission, the ECB, and the relevant ESAs, in accordance with Article 35 of Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010, of Regulation (EU) No 1094/2010 and of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010, at the requested frequency disaggregated information on developments in its financial system, including an analysis of the results of the stress test exercises and sensitivity analyses carried out under point (b). The Commission, the ECB, and the relevant ESAs shall keep that disaggregated data confidential;

 

(b) carry out, under the supervision of the relevant ESAs, stress test exercises or sensitivity analyses as necessary to assess the resilience of the financial sector to various macroeconomic and financial shocks, as specified by the Commission and the ECB in liaison with the relevant ESAs and the ESRB,

 

(c) be subject to regular assessments of its supervisory capacities over the financial sector in the framework of a specific peer review carried out by the relevant ESAs;

 

(d) communicate any information needed for the monitoring of macroeconomic imbalances established by Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011.

 

Member States receiving financial support for the recapitalisation of their financial institutions shall, in addition, report on the conditions imposed on those financial institutions, including as regards executive remuneration and credit conditions applicable in the real economy.

Amendment  33

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 4

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

4. The Commission shall conduct, in liaison with the ECB, regular review missions in the Member State under surveillance to verify the progresses made in the implementation of the measures mentioned in paragraph 1, 2 and 3. It shall communicate every quarter its findings to the Economic and Financial Committee (EFC) - or to any subcommittee the latter may designate for that purpose - and assess notably whether further measures are needed. These review missions shall replace the onsite monitoring foreseen in Article 10a(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1467/97.

4. The Commission shall conduct, in liaison with the ECB and the relevant ESAs and, where appropriate, the IMF, regular review missions in the Member State under enhanced surveillance to verify the progresses made in the implementation of the measures mentioned in paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 3a. It shall communicate every quarter its findings to the EFC and to the competent committee of the European Parliament and assess, in particular, whether further measures are needed. These review missions shall replace the on-site monitoring provided for in Article 10a(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1467/97.

Amendment  34

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 5

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

5. Where it is concluded - on the basis of the assessment foreseen in paragraph 4 - that further measures are needed and the financial situation of the Member State concerned has significant adverse effects on the financial stability of the euro area, the Council, acting by qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, may recommend to the Member State concerned to seek financial assistance and to prepare a macro-economic adjustment programme. The Council may decide to make this recommendation public.

5. Where it is assessed - on the basis of the review missions provided for in paragraph 4 - that further measures are needed and the financial and economic situation of the Member State concerned presents a risk to the financial stability or the smooth functioning of the euro area, the Council, acting by qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, may simultaneously:

 

(a) recommend to the Member State concerned to seek financial assistance and to prepare a macro-economic adjustment programme;

 

(b) recommend to the EFSF or to the ESM to offer financial assistance linked to appropriate conditionality as provided for in this Regulation.

 

The Council may decide to make its recommendations public.

Amendment  35

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Where a Member State seeks financial assistance from the ESM pursuant to paragraph 3(a), the other Member States shall use their best efforts to ensure that the ESM provide assistance to that Member State, and that it do so in a timely manner.

Amendment  36

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 6 – point a

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(a) the relevant Committee of the European Parliament may invite representatives of the Member State concerned to participate to an exchange of views;

(a) the competent Committee of the European Parliament may offer the opportunity to the Member State concerned and to the Commission to participate to an exchange of views;

Amendment  37

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 6 – point b a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(ba) the Commission shall inform the relevant committee of the European Parliament in due time about the content of the recommendation.

Amendment  38

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 6 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

6a. During the whole process, the competent committee of the European Parliament and the parliament of the Member State concerned may invite representatives of the IMF, the ECB and the Commission to participate in an economic dialogue on significant in relation to the proper functioning of the economy.

Amendment  39

Proposal for a regulation

Article 4

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

A Member State wishing to obtain financial assistance from one or several other States, the EFSF, the ESM, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or another institution outside of the Union framework shall immediately inform the Council, the Commission and the ECB of its intention. The EFC, or any subcommittee the latter may designate for that purpose, shall hold a discussion on this envisaged request, after having received an assessment from the Commission.

A Member State intending to request financial assistance from one or several other Member States, the EFSF, the ESM, the IMF or another institution outside of the Union framework shall immediately inform the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission and the ECB of its intention. The EFC shall hold a discussion on this envisaged request, after having received an assessment from the Commission with a view to examining, inter alia, the possibilities available under existing Union or euro area financial instruments before the Member State concerned addresses potential lenders.

Amendment  40

Proposal for a regulation

Article 5 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Where financial assistance is sought from the EFSF or the ESM, the Commission shall prepare – in liaison with the ECB and wherever possible, the IMF - an analysis of the sustainability of the government debt of the Member State concerned, including the Member State's ability to repay the envisaged financial assistance, and forward it to the EFC or to any subcommittee the latter may designate for that purpose.

Where financial assistance is sought from the EFSF, the EFSM or the ESM, the Commission shall prepare – in liaison with the ECB and wherever possible and appropriate, with the IMF - an analysis of the sustainability of the government debt and the actual or potential financing needs of the Member State concerned, including the impact of any macro-prudential adjustment programme on the Member State's ability to repay the envisaged financial assistance, and send it to the EFC.

 

The assessment of the sustainability of the government debt shall be based on prudent macroeconomic and budgetary forecasts using the most up-to-date information and taking proper account of the outcome of the report referred to in point (a) of Article 3(3) as well as any supervisory task exercised according to point (b) of Article 3(3). The forecasts shall assess the impact of macroeconomic and financial shocks and adverse developments on the sustainability of government debt.

 

The Commission shall make public the methodology, the economic and econometric underlying models and assumptions, including an estimation of the potential output and macroeconomic multiplier effects as well as any other relevant parameter underpinning the assessment of the sustainability of the government debt.

Amendment                41

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1. A Member State receiving financial assistance from one or several other States, the IMF, the EFSF or the ESM shall prepare in agreement with the Commission - acting in liaison with the ECB - a draft adjustment programme aimed at re-establishing a sound and sustainable economic and financial situation and restoring its capacity to finance itself fully on the financial markets. The draft adjustment programme shall take due account of the current recommendations addressed to the Member State concerned under Articles 121, 126 and/or 148 of the Treaty- and its actions to comply with them - while aiming at broadening, strengthening and deepening the required policy measures.

1. A Member State requesting or receiving financial assistance from one or several other States, the IMF, the EFSF, the EFSM or the ESM shall prepare in agreement with the Commission - acting in liaison with the ECB and, where appropriate, with the IMF- a draft macroeconomic adjustment programme which shall build on and substitute any economic partnership programmes under Regulation XXX, which shall also include annual budgetary target. The draft macroeconomic adjustment programme shall addresses the specific risks emanating from that Member State for the financial stability of the euro area and shall aim at rapidly re-establishing a sound and sustainable economic and financial situation and restoring its capacity to finance itself fully on the financial markets. The draft macroeconomic adjustment programme shall be based on the assessment of the sustainability of the government debt and shall take due account of the recommendations addressed to the Member State concerned under Articles 121, 126, 136 and/or 148 TFEU - and its actions to comply with them - while aiming at broadening, strengthening and deepening the required policy measures. The draft macroeconomic adjustment programme shall respect the practices and institutions for wage formation and industrial relations in the Union and shall, where possible, take into account the national reform programme of the Member State concerned in the context of the Union strategy for growth and jobs. The draft macroeconomic adjustment programme shall fully observe Article 151 TFEU and Article 28 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

Amendment              42

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 1a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

1a. A Member State preparing a draft macroeconomic adjustment programme under paragraph 1 shall establish, in agreement with the Commission, an updated partnership programme aiming at creating the necessary conditions for achieving sustainable public finances.

Amendment  43

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 - paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2. The Council, acting by qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, shall approve the adjustment programme.

2. The Commission shall assess the draft macroeconomic adjustment programme within one week of submission of that programme.

 

If the Commission considers the draft macroeconomic adjustment programme to be sufficient, it shall approve it. The Council may, within 10 days of that decision, repeal it by qualified majority.

 

If the Commission considers the actions or the timetable envisaged in the draft macroeconomic adjustment programme to be insufficient, it shall adopt a recommendation addressed to the Member State to submit, within one week, a new draft macroeconomic adjustment programme while, stating the reasons why the original programme is insufficient. The draft macroeconomic adjustment programme shall, except in case of urgency, be the basis of any Memorandum of Understanding, programme or technical agreement concluded with relevant parties providing financial assistance. Consistency between the different relevant documents relating to the financial assistance and the updated versions of the draft macroeconomic adjustment programme as well as consistency with the broad economic and employment policy guidelines shall be duly justified. The Council may, within 10 days of the Commission's decision, repeal it by qualified majority.

Amendment              44

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 2 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

2a. The Commission and the Council shall monitor the implementation of the adjustment programme and the annual budgetary plans consistent with it.

 

There shall be consistency in the process of economic and fiscal surveillance with respect to a Member State whose currency is the euro under macroeconomic adjustment programme to avoid a duplication of reporting obligations.

Amendment  45

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

3. The Commission, in liaison with the ECB, shall monitor the progress made in the implementation of the adjustment programme and inform every three months the EFC or any subcommittee the latter may designate for that purpose. The Member State concerned shall give the Commission its full cooperation. It shall in particular provide to the Commission all the information that the latter deems necessary for the monitoring of the programme. Article 3(3) shall apply.

3. The Commission, in liaison with the ECB, shall monitor the progress made in the implementation of the adjustment programme and inform every three months the EFC. The Member State concerned shall give the Commission and the ECB its full cooperation. It shall in particular provide to the Commission and the ECB all the information that the latter deems necessary for the monitoring of the programme. Article 3(3) shall apply. In the case of insufficient cooperation, the Council, on a proposal from the Commission, may address a public recommendation to the Member State concerned laying down the action to be taken by that Member State.

Amendment  46

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 4

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

4. The Commission - in liaison with the ECB - shall examine with the Member State concerned the changes that may be needed to its adjustment programme. The Council, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, shall decide on any change to be made to the adjustment programme.

4. The Commission - in liaison with the ECB and, where appropriate, with the IMF, - shall examine with the Member State concerned the changes and updates that may be needed to its adjustment programme in order to take proper account of inter alia any significant gap between macroeconomic forecasts and realised figures, including possible consequences resulting from the adjustment programme, negative spill-over effects as well as macroeconomic and financial shocks. The Commission shall decide on any changes made to the macroeconomic adjustment programme. The Council may, within 10 days of that decision, repeal it by qualified majority

Amendment  47

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 4 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

4a. The Member State concerned shall, in close cooperation with the Commission, take all necessary measures to encourage private investors to maintain their overall exposure on a voluntary basis.

Amendment  48

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 5

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

5. If the monitoring referred to in paragraph 3 highlights significant deviations from the macro-economic adjustment programme, the Council, acting by qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, may decide that the Member State concerned does not comply with the policy requirements contained in the adjustment programme.

5. If the monitoring referred to in paragraph 3 highlights significant deviations from the macroeconomic adjustment programme. The Commission may decide that the Member State concerned does not comply with the policy requirements contained in the adjustment programme. In its decision, the Commission shall explicitly take account of whether significant deviation is due to reasons that are not within the control of the Member State concerned. The Council may, within 10 days of adoption of such a decision, repeal it by qualified majority. The Commission decision shall state the reasons of non-compliance and the necessity for and proportionality of the changes made to the macroeconomic adjustment programme referred to in paragraph 4.

 

The macroeconomic adjustment programme shall, in particular, outline precautionary measures and contingency plans to be adopted in case of unforeseen developments such as exogenous shocks.

 

The fiscal consolidation efforts set out in the macroeconomic adjustment programme shall take into account the needs to ensure sufficient means for fundamental policies such as education and health care.

 

Where the Commission takes a decision under the first subparagraph, the Member State concerned shall, in close cooperation with the Commission and in liaison with the ECB, take measures aimed at avoiding market turmoil and preserving the good functioning of its financial sector.

Amendment  49

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 6

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

6. A Member State subject to an adjustment programme experiencing insufficient administrative capacity or significant problems in the implementation of its adjustment programme shall seek technical assistance from the Commission.

6. A Member State subject to a macroeconomic adjustment programme experiencing insufficient administrative capacity or significant problems in the implementation of its adjustment programme shall seek technical assistance from the Commission, which may constitute for this purpose groups of experts with Member States and other Union and/or relevant international institutions. The objectives and the means of the technical assistance shall be explicitly outlined in the updated versions of the macroeconomic adjustment programme. Furthermore, national ownership of the implementation process of technical assistance shall be ensured. Technical assistance shall be focused on areas such as: improving public procurement, promoting competition, tackling corruption and increasing the efficiency of collecting tax revenues to promote financial sustainability.

 

The macroeconomic adjustment programme and an assessment of the social consequences shall be made public.

 

The assessment of the sustainability of the government debt shall be annexed to the macroeconomic adjustment programme.

Justification

References to establishment of a permanent resident advisor and staff as well as to the recruitment of non-Commission experts as based on an amendment proposed by the ECB

Amendment  50

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 6 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

6a. A Member State subject to a macroeconomic adjustment programme shall carry out a comprehensive audit of its outstanding stock of debt in order to inter alia carry out an assessment of the reasons having led to the building up of excessive levels of debt as well as any irregularity involved in the debt issuance process.

Amendment  51

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 7

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

7. The relevant Committee of the European Parliament may invite representatives of the Member State concerned to participate to an exchange of views on the progress made in the implementation of the adjustment programme.

7. The competent Committee of the European Parliament may offer the opportunity to the Member State concerned and to the Commission to participate to an exchange of views on the progress made in the implementation of the adjustment programme.

Amendment  52

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 8 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

8a. This Article does not apply to financial assistance granted on a precautionary basis or to loans made for the recapitalisation of financial institutions.

Amendment  53

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 6a

 

Involvement of social partners and civil society

 

Organisations representing the and the social partners as well as civil society organisations shall be given the opportunity to express their views on the Commission public recommendations and opinions provided for in this Regulation and on Member States reports and draft reports provided for in Articles 2 to 7 of this Regulation. These views shall be made public.

Amendment  54

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 6b

 

Measures to safeguard tax revenue

 

1. The Member State concerned shall, in accordance with Article 65 TFEU, in close cooperation with the Commission and in liaison with the ECB, take measures aimed at preventing infringements of national law and regulations in particular in the field of taxation.

 

2. The Member State concerned shall request the Commission to make a proposal to the Council, in accordance with Article 66 TFEU, to take safeguard measures regarding movements of capital to or from third countries causing, or threatening to cause, serious difficulties for the operation of the economic and monetary union. The Commission shall consult the ECB before making any such proposal.

Amendment  55

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 – title

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Consistency with the excessive deficit procedure

Consistency with the Stability and Growth Pact

Amendment  56

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1. The adjustment programme and the changes thereto provided for by Article 6 of this Regulation shall be deemed to replace the submission of stability programmes provided for by Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97.

1. The macroeconomic adjustment programme and the changes thereto provided for by Article 6 of this Regulation shall replace the submission of stability programmes provided for by Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97.

Amendment  57

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point a

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(a) The adjustment programme provided for by Article 6 of this Regulation shall also be deemed to replace as appropriate the reports provided for by Article 3(4a) and Article 5(1a) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1467/97;

(a) The macroeconomic adjustment programme provided for by Article 6 of this Regulation shall also replace as appropriate the reports provided for by Article 3(4a) and Article 5(1a) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1467/97;

Amendment  58

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point b

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(b) The annual budgetary targets in the adjustment programme provided for by Article 6(3) of this Regulation shall be deemed to replace as appropriate the annual budgetary targets foreseen in accordance with Article 3(4) and Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1467/97 in the mentioned recommendation and notice. If the Member State concerned is subject to notice under Article 126(9) of the Treaty, the adjustment programme foreseen by Article 6(3) of this Regulation shall also be deemed to replace the indications on measures conducive to those targets foreseen in the notice in accordance with Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1467/97.

(b) The annual budgetary targets in the adjustment programme provided for by Article 6(3) of this Regulation shall replace as appropriate the annual budgetary targets foreseen in accordance with Article 3(4) and Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1467/97 in the mentioned recommendation and notice. If the Member State concerned is subject to notice under Article 126(9) of the Treaty, the adjustment programme foreseen by Article 6(3) of this Regulation shall also replace the indications on measures conducive to those targets foreseen in the notice in accordance with Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1467/97.

Amendment  59

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point c

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(c) The monitoring provided for by Article 6(3) of this Regulation shall be deemed to replace the monitoring provided for by Article 10(1) and Article 10a of Council Regulation (EC) No 1467/97 and the monitoring underlying any decision provided for by Article 4(2) and 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1467/97.

(c) The monitoring provided for by Article 6(3) of this Regulation shall replace the monitoring provided for by Article 10(1) and Article 10a of Council Regulation (EC) No 1467/97 and the monitoring underlying any decision provided for by Article 4(2) and 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1467/97.

Amendment  60

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

The implementation of Regulation (EU) No XXX on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances shall be suspended for the Member States subject to a macro-economic adjustment programme approved by the Council in accordance with Article 6(2) of this Regulation. This suspension shall be applicable for the duration of the macro-economic adjustment programme.

The implementation of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances shall be suspended for the Member States subject to a macro-economic adjustment programme approved by the Council in accordance with Article 6(2) of this Regulation with the exception of the measures provided for in Articles 3, 4 and 5 of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 relating to the scoreboard of macroeconomic and macrofinancial indicators, the alert mechanism and the in-depth review. This suspension shall be applicable for the duration of the macro-economic adjustment programme.

Amendment  61

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

The monitoring provided for by Article 6(3) of this Regulation shall be deemed to replace the monitoring and assessment of the European Semester for economic policy coordination provided for by Article 2a of Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and coordination of economic policies.

The monitoring provided for by Article 6(3) of this Regulation shall replace the monitoring and assessment of the European Semester for economic policy coordination provided for by Article 2a of Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and coordination of economic policies. The suspension shall be applicable for the duration of the macroeconomic adjustment programme.

Amendment  62

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

The implementation of Regulation (EU) No XXX on common provisions for monitoring and assessing draft budgetary plans and ensuring the correction of excessive deficit of the Member States in the euro area shall be suspended for the Member States subject to a macro-economic adjustment programme approved by the Council in accordance with Article 6(2) of this Regulation. This suspension shall be applicable for the duration of the macro-economic adjustment programme.

The implementation of Regulation (EU) No XXX on common provisions for monitoring and assessing draft budgetary plans and ensuring the correction of excessive deficit of the Member States in the euro area shall be suspended for the Member States subject to a macro-economic adjustment programme approved by the Council in accordance with Article 6(2) of this Regulation with the exception of Articles 1 to 4 of Regulation (EU) No .../2012. This suspension shall be applicable for the duration of the macro-economic adjustment programme.

Amendment  63

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 10a

 

Placement of a Member State under legal protection

 

1. Where the measures provided for in Article 3(5) do not restore the financial situation of the Member State and where that Member State is at risk of enduring state of default or suspension of payments, the Commission may, after consulting the Council, adopt a decision placing the Member State under legal protection. The Council may, within 10 days of adoption of such a decision, repeal it by simple majority.

 

2. The aim of this Article is to allow the Member State concerned to stabilise its economic situation and to be able to honour its debt.

 

A decision placing a Member State under legal protection shall have the following effects:

 

(a) 'close-out netting' or 'credit event' provisions become inoperative;

 

(b) the loan interest rates applied are maintained and new loans to the Member State, with the exception of financial assistance referred to in Article 1(1), are to be reimbursed as a priority;

 

(c) the creditors of the Member State concerned make themselves known to the Commission within two months from the publication of the decision placing the Member State concerned under legal protection in the Official Journal of the European Union; failure to do so results in their debt being extinguished;

 

(d) the authorities of the Member State concerned implement the measures recommended in the technical assistance provided for in Article 6(6) and submit to the Commission a recovery and debt settlement plan for approval.

 

3. This Article shall apply from 2017.

Amendment  64

Proposal for a regulation

Article 11 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1. A Member State shall be under post-programme surveillance as long as a minimum of 75% of the financial assistance received from one or several other Member State(s), the EFSM, the EFSF or the ESM has not been repaid. The Council, acting on a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, may extend the duration of the post programme surveillance.

1. A Member State shall be under post-programme surveillance as long as a minimum of 75% of the financial assistance received from one or several other Member State(s), the EFSM, the EFSF or the ESM has not been repaid. The Commission may decide to extend the duration of the post-programme surveillance. The Council may, within 10 days of such a decision, repeal it by qualified majority.

Amendment  65

Proposal for a regulation

Article 11 – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

3. The Commission shall conduct, in liaison with the ECB, regular review missions in the Member State under post programme surveillance to assess its economic, fiscal and financial situation. It shall communicate every semester its findings to the EFC or to any subcommittee the latter may designate for that purpose and assess notably whether corrective measures are needed.

3. The Commission shall conduct, in liaison with the ECB, regular review missions in the Member State under post-programme surveillance to assess its economic, fiscal and financial situation. It shall communicate every semester its findings to the competent committee of the European Parliament, to the EFC or to any subcommittee the latter may designate for that purpose and to the parliament of the Member State concerned and shall assess, in particular, whether corrective measures are needed.

 

The competent committee of the European Parliament may offer the opportunity to the Member State concerned to participate to an exchange of views on the progress made under post- programme surveillance.

Amendment  66

Proposal for a regulation

Article 11 – paragraph 4

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

4. The Council, acting by qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, may recommend to the Member State under post programme surveillance to adopt corrective measures.

4. The Commission may adopt a recommendation that the Member State under post-programme surveillance adopt corrective measures. The Council may, within 10 days of such a recommendation, repeal it by qualified majority.

Amendment  67

Proposal for a regulation

Article 11 – paragraph 4 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

4a. The parliament of the Member State concerned may invite the Commission to participate in an exchange of views on the post-programme surveillance.

Amendment  68

Proposal for a regulation

Article 12 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

For the measures referred to in Articles 2(1), 3, 6(2), 6(4) and 11(4), only members of the Council representing Member States whose currency is the euro shall vote and the Council shall act without taking into account the vote of the member of the Council representing the Member State concerned.

For the measures referred to in this Regulation, only members of the Council representing Member States whose currency is the euro shall vote and the Council shall act without taking into account the vote of the member of the Council representing the Member State concerned.

Amendment  69

Proposal for a regulation

Article 13

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Article 13

deleted

Types of assistance and loans excluded from the application of Articles 5 and 6

 

The provisions of Article 5 and 6 do not apply to financial assistance granted on a precautionary basis and to loans made for recapitalising financial institutions.

 

Amendment  70

Proposal for a regulation

Article 13 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 13a

 

Informing the European Parliament

 

The Council and the Commission shall regularly inform the European Parliament of the application of this Regulation.

Amendment  71

Proposal for a regulation

Article 13 b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 13b

 

Transitional provisions

 

This Regulation shall apply to the Member States that are already subject to programme assistance on [date of entry into force of this Regulation].

Amendment  72

Proposal for a regulation

Article 13 c (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 13c

 

Report

 

By 1 January 2014 and every five years thereafter, the Commission shall publish a report on the application of this Regulation.

 

That report shall evaluate, inter alia:

 

(a) the effectiveness of this Regulation;

 

(b) the progress in ensuring closer coordination of economic policies and sustained convergence of economic performance of the Member States in accordance with the TFEU.

 

(c) the contribution of this Regulation to the achievement of the Union strategy for growth and jobs.

 

(d) the appropriateness of extending the scope of this Regulation to non euro area Member States experiencing or threatened with serious difficulties with respect to their financial stability in the euro area.

 

2. Where appropriate, the report referred to in paragraph 1 shall be accompanied by a proposal to amend this Regulation.

 

3. The report referred to in paragraph 1 shall be sent to the European Parliament and to the Council.

(1)

OJ C 141, 17.5.2012, p. 7.


EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

This draft regulation on the strengthening of economic and budgetary surveillance of Member States experiencing or threatened with serious difficulties with respect to their financial stability in the euro area is set against the background of the financial crisis and the sovereign debt crisis now confronting the European Union. It draws several lessons from those crises and proposes solutions.

The Commission’s proposals complement the package on European economic governance (the so-called ‘six-pack’) adopted by Parliament and the Council in 2011.

Excessive national debt can have dramatic consequences, both within the countries concerned and for the other Member States of the European Union. The difficulties of a small country can even have global repercussions. What is at risk is the euro area’s reputation, rather than its existence.

The serious economic and social consequences being experienced today by certain Member States could have been avoided if early, targeted action could have been taken. At the time the European Union did not have the necessary instruments, but this will now be put right with a combination of the six-pack and two new pieces of legislation (two-pack), including this one.

The six-pack needs to be strengthened to ensure both financial stability and economic growth in the euro area. Several Member States have had to seek financial assistance. Preventive action at an early stage is preferable to corrective measures taken later, perhaps too late, in the procedure.

Your rapporteur agrees with the broad thrust of the Commission proposal, which provides for a Member State whose currency is the euro to be subject to enhanced surveillance when it is experiencing – or at risk of experiencing – severe financial disturbance. It should be swiftly returned to a normal situation and the other euro area Member States should be protected against possible negative spillover effects.

In addition, with a view to reaching an effective and pragmatic agreement and to enable the two-pack to be rapidly implemented – as required by the European Council in its conclusions of 9 December 2011 – your rapporteur has inserted at this stage a number of acceptable elements of the text originating from the meeting of the Council working group on 2 February 2012.

Your rapporteur suggests a number of modifications and additions.

The decision-making procedure should be adapted. In order for action to be taken swiftly, it should be the Commission’s responsibility to take the necessary decisions, including placing a Member State under the enhanced surveillance procedure. The Council could repeal such a decision by a simple majority vote within 10 days (reversed simple majority).

Certain elements of the new international treaty can be incorporated into the regulation as a way of implementing in the secondary legislation a series of elements decided by the Heads of State and Government.

Also proposed is the creation of a system of legal protection applicable to a Member State which is at risk of being, in the near future, in an enduring state of default or suspension of payments. The Commission may, after consulting the Council, decide to place the Member State under a legal protection arrangement which would entail, in particular, the suspension of ‘close-out netting’ or ‘credit event’ provisions.


OPINION of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (28.3.2012)

for the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

on the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the strengthening of economic and budgetary surveillance of Member States experiencing or threatened with serious difficulties with respect to their financial stability in the euro area

(COM(2011)0819 – C7-0449/2011 – 2011/0385(COD))

Rapporteur for the opinion: Frédéric Daerden

SHORT JUSTIFICATION

A broad view of the economic and social problems arising from the economic and financial crisis which began in 2008 is needed in adopting the procedures for budgetary and economic surveillance of Member States which the Union and the euro area have instigated to tackle the crisis.

The worsening financial situation worldwide caused a marked downturn in growth in the Union and serious budgetary problems for its Member States. But while coordinating the Member States’ economic and social policies may well be one solution to these problems, a certain number of principles must be observed in the process:

- Coordination cannot focus solely on the Member States’ budgetary situation and must take into account investment in the labour market and in improving the social situation: state investment in training or research to make a country more competitive, an effective social protection system and social minima are all ways to fight poverty and maintain internal consumption – and thereby better resist crises – and should be viewed positively.

- It must be consistent with the democratic principles of the Union: parliaments wherein sit elected representatives, whether the European Parliament or national parliaments, must be kept fully and regularly informed in the same way as the Commission or the Council.

- It cannot run counter to national and EU principles on social dialogue: fundamental rights to collective bargaining and to strike action cannot be called into question by the structural reforms and job market reforms advocated by the Member States.

- Account must be taken of all the Union’s objectives and core documents: measures to achieve the employment-rate and poverty goals in the Europe 2020 Strategy, and observance of the cross-cutting social clause in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, will play their part in the Union’s economic recovery.

AMENDMENTS

The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs calls on the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following amendments in its report:

Amendment  1

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(1) The unprecedented global crisis that has hit the world over the last three years has seriously damaged economic growth and financial stability and provoked a strong deterioration in the government deficit and debt position of the Member States, leading a number of them to seek financial assistance outside the framework of the Union.

(1) The unprecedented global crisis and the downturn in economic activity that hit the world over the last three years have seriously damaged economic growth and financial stability and provoked a strong deterioration in financial, economic and social conditions and increased the government deficit and debt position of the Member States, leading a number of them to seek financial assistance outside the framework of the Union.

Amendment  2

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(1a) Despite some positive signs of recovery in 2009, the employment growth was too weak to produce a steady reduction in the high unemployment rate. The average unemployment spells have lengthened, and youth unemployment figures have risen in many Member States, reaching more than 40% in some of them. As a result, tax base has abated, economic and social costs have soared with a sharp increase in poverty and social exclusion and the loss of growth opportunities is hampering gravely the path to economic and budgetary recovery. In autumn 2011, the Commission revised its economic forecast for 2012 down substantially by 1.25 percentage points to 0.5% in the Union and the euro area.

Amendment  3

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 1 b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(1b) While measures to counterbalance the negative effects of the crisis have been taken, its impact on the real economy, the labour market and citizens’ well-being is widely felt.

Amendment  4

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 1 c (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(1c) Article 9 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides that, in defining and implementing its policies and actions, the Union is to take into account requirements linked to the promotion of a high level of employment, the guarantee of adequate social protection, the fight against social exclusion, and a high level of education, training and protection of human health.

Amendment  5

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(1a) All policies of the European Union have to be consistent with the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which grants both individual and collective rights to citizens. Besides, the EU and its Member States should respect the main principles of the core conventions of the International Labour Organisation, which protects the basic rights of all workers.

Amendment  6

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(2) The full consistency between the Union multilateral surveillance framework established by the Treaty and the possible policy conditions attached to this financial assistance should be enshrined in Union law. The economic and financial integration of the Member States whose currency is the euro calls for a reinforced surveillance to prevent a contagion from a Member State experiencing difficulties with respect to its financial stability to the rest of the euro area.

(2) The full consistency between the Union multilateral surveillance framework established by the Treaty and the possible policy conditions attached to this financial assistance, coupled with incentives to promote sustainable growth, employment and social progress, should be enshrined in Union law. The economic and financial integration of the Member States whose currency is the euro calls for a reinforced surveillance to prevent a contagion from a Member State experiencing difficulties with respect to its financial stability to the rest of the euro area.

Amendment  7

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 2 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(2a) Notion of social governance should be added to the economic governance, including to the reinforced surveillance measures on economic policies, and also some appropriate and convergent social measures to safeguard employment.

Amendment  8

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 3

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(3) The intensity of the economic and fiscal surveillance should be commensurate to the severity of the financial difficulties encountered and should take due account of the nature of the financial assistance received, which may range from a mere precautionary support based on eligibility conditions up to a full macro-economic adjustment programme involving strict policy conditionality.

(3) The intensity of the economic and fiscal surveillance should be commensurate to the severity of the financial difficulties encountered and should take due account of the nature of the financial assistance received, which may range from a mere precautionary support based on eligibility conditions up to a full macro-economic adjustment programme involving strict policy conditionality. Any macro-economic adjustment programme shall take into account the national reform programme of the country concerned in the context of the Europe 2020 Strategy for Growth and Jobs.

Amendment  9

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 4

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(4) A Member State whose currency is the euro should be subject to enhanced surveillance when it is experiencing - or at risk of experiencing - severe financial disturbance, with a view to ensuring its swift return to a normal situation and to protecting the other euro area Member States against possible negative spill over effects. This enhanced surveillance should include a wider access to the information needed for a close monitoring of the economic, fiscal and financial situation and a regular reporting to the Economic and Financial Committee (EFC) or to any sub-committee the latter may designate for that purpose. The same modalities of surveillance should apply to Member States requesting precautionary assistance from the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or another international financial institution.

(4) A Member State whose currency is the euro should be subject to enhanced surveillance when it is experiencing - or at risk of experiencing - severe financial disturbance, with a view to ensuring its swift return to a normal situation and to protecting the other euro area Member States against possible negative spill over effects. This enhanced surveillance should include a wider access to the information needed for a close monitoring of the social, employment, fiscal and financial situation and the establishment of a regular report to the European Parliament, the Economic and Financial Committee (EFC), the Employment Committee (EMCO) and the Social Protection Committee (SPC) or to any sub-committee the said committees may designate for that purpose. The same modalities of surveillance should apply to Member States requesting precautionary assistance from the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or another international financial institution.

Amendment  10

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 5

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(5) The surveillance of the economic and fiscal situation should be strongly reinforced for Member States under macro-economic adjustment programme. Because of the comprehensive nature of the latter, the other processes of economic and fiscal surveillance should be suspended for the duration of the macro-economic adjustment programme, with a view to avoiding a duplication of reporting obligations.

(5) The surveillance of the economic, fiscal, employment and social situation should be strongly reinforced for Member States under macro-economic adjustment programme. The latter shall contain measures that have the integrated aim to restore financial stability and achieve the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy for Growth and Jobs. Member States shall report progress on both aspects. Because of the comprehensive nature of the macro-economic adjustment programme, the other processes of economic and fiscal surveillance should be suspended for the duration of the macro-economic adjustment programme, with a view to avoiding a duplication of reporting obligations.

Amendment  11

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 6

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(6) Rules should be provided in order to enhance the dialogue between the Union institutions, in particular the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, and to ensure greater transparency and accountability.

(6) Rules should be provided in order to enhance the dialogue between the Union institutions, in particular the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, as well as the dialogue between the Union’s institutions and the social partners, and to ensure greater transparency and accountability.

Amendment  12

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 7

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(7) A decision regarding the non-compliance of a Member State with its adjustment programme would also entail a suspension of payments or commitments of Union funds as provided by Article 21(6) of Regulation (EU) No XXX laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund covered by the common strategic framework and laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006,

deleted

Amendment  13

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 2 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

2a. The application of this Regulation shall fully observe Article 152 TFEU, and the recommendations issued under this Regulation shall respect national practices and institutions for wage formation. This Regulation takes into account Article 28 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and accordingly does not affect the right to negotiate, conclude or enforce collective agreements or to take collective action in accordance with national law and practices.

Amendment  14

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1. The Commission may decide to make a Member State experiencing severe difficulties with regard to its financial stability subject to enhanced surveillance. The Member State concerned shall be given the possibility to express its views beforehand. The Commission shall decide every six months whether to prolong the enhanced surveillance.

1. The Commission may decide to make a Member State experiencing severe difficulties with regard to its financial stability subject to enhanced surveillance. The Member State as well as the social partners concerned shall be given the possibility to express its views beforehand. The Commission shall decide every six months whether to prolong the enhanced surveillance.

Amendment  15

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – paragraph 2 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

2 a. The Commission shall make every decision in accordance with paragraph 1 and 2 public.

Amendment  16

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point a

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(a) communicate to the Commission,the ECB and the European Banking Authority (EBA) at the requested frequency disaggregated information on the financial situation of the financial institutions which are under the surveillance of its national supervisors;

(a) communicate to the European Parliament, the Commission, the ECB and the European Banking Authority (EBA) at the requested frequency disaggregated information on the financial situation of the financial institutions which are under the surveillance of its national supervisors;

Amendment  17

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point d a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(da) Communicate to the European Parliament information about evolution of poverty.

Amendment  18

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point d b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

(db) communicate to the European Parliament, the Commission and the national parliaments information on public investment in achieving the growth, employment and social targets of the Europe 2020 Strategy for Growth and Jobs.

Amendment  19

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 4

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

4. The Commission shall conduct, in liaison with the ECB, regular review missions in the Member State under surveillance to verify the progresses made in the implementation of the measures mentioned in paragraph 1, 2 and 3. It shall communicate every quarter its findings to the Economic and Financial Committee (EFC) - or to any subcommittee the latter may designate for that purpose - and assess notably whether further measures are needed. These review missions shall replace the onsite monitoring foreseen in Article 10a(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1467/97.

4. The Commission shall conduct, in liaison with the ECB and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), regular review missions in the Member State under surveillance to verify the progresses made in the implementation of the measures mentioned in paragraph 1, 2 and 3. It shall communicate every quarter its findings to the Economic and Financial Committee (EFC), the Employment Committee (EMCO) and the Social Protection Committee (SPC) - or to any subcommittee the said committees may designate for that purpose - and assess notably whether further measures are needed. These review missions shall replace the onsite monitoring foreseen in Article 10a(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1467/97.

Amendment  20

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 5

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

5. Where it is concluded - on the basis of the assessment foreseen in paragraph 4 - that further measures are needed and the financial situation of the Member State concerned has significant adverse effects on the financial stability of the euro area, the Council, acting by qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, may recommend to the Member State concerned to seek financial assistance and to prepare a macro-economic adjustment programme. The Council may decide to make this recommendation public.

5. Where it is concluded - on the basis of the assessment foreseen in paragraph 4 - that further measures are needed and the financial situation of the Member State concerned has significant adverse effects on the financial stability of the euro area, the European Parliament and the Council, on a proposal from the Commission, may recommend to the Member State concerned to seek financial assistance and to prepare a macro-economic adjustment programme. The Council shall act by qualified majority.

Amendment  21

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 6

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

6. Where a recommendation under paragraph 5 is made public:

deleted

(a) the relevant Committee of the European Parliament may invite representatives of the Member State concerned to participate to an exchange of views;

 

(b) representatives of the Commission may be invited by the parliament of the Member State concerned to participate to an exchange of views.

 

Justification

These exchange of views should be part of a broader "economic dialogue", which is of utmost importance. Therefore, it is preferable to dedicate a seperate article of this regulation to the "economic dialogue".

Amendment  22

Proposal for a regulation

Article 4

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

A Member State wishing to obtain financial assistance from one or several other States, the EFSF, the ESM, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or another institution outside of the Union framework shall immediately inform the Council, the Commission and the ECB of its intention. The EFC, or any subcommittee the latter may designate for that purpose, shall hold a discussion on this envisaged request, after having received an assessment from the Commission.

A Member State wishing to obtain financial assistance from one or several other States, the EFSF, the ESM, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or another institution outside of the Union framework shall immediately inform the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission and the ECB of its intention. The EFC, the EMCO and the SPC, or any subcommittee the said committees may designate for that purpose, shall hold a discussion on this envisaged request, after having received an assessment from the Commission.

Amendment  23

Proposal for a regulation

Article 5

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Where financial assistance is sought from the EFSF or the ESM, the Commission shall prepare – in liaison with the ECB and wherever possible, the IMF - an analysis of the sustainability of the government debt of the Member State concerned, including the Member State's ability to repay the envisaged financial assistance, and forward it to the EFC or to any subcommittee the latter may designate for that purpose.

Where financial assistance is sought from the EFSF or the ESM, the Commission shall prepare – in liaison with the ECB and wherever possible, the IMF - an analysis of medium and long term sustainability of the government debt of the Member State concerned, including the Member State's ability to repay the envisaged financial assistance while fulfilling its obligations with regard to the Europe 2020 Strategy for Growth and Jobs, and forward it to the EFC, the EMCO and the SPC or to any subcommittee the said committees may designate for that purpose

Amendment  24

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1. A Member State receiving financial assistance from one or several other States, the IMF, the EFSF or the ESM shall prepare in agreement with the Commission - acting in liaison with the ECB - a draft adjustment programme aimed at re-establishing a sound and sustainable economic and financial situation and restoring its capacity to finance itself fully on the financial markets. The draft adjustment programme shall take due account of the current recommendations addressed to the Member State concerned under Articles 121, 126 and/or 148 of the Treaty- and its actions to comply with them - while aiming at broadening, strengthening and deepening the required policy measures.

1. A Member State requesting or receiving financial assistance from one or several other States, the IMF, the EFSF or the ESM shall prepare in agreement with the Commission - acting in liaison with the ECB - a draft adjustment programme aimed at re-establishing a sound and sustainable economic and financial situation and restoring its capacity to finance itself fully on the financial markets. The draft adjustment programme shall take due account of the current recommendations addressed to the Member State concerned under Articles 121, 126 and/or 148 of the Treaty- and its actions to comply with them - while aiming at broadening, strengthening and deepening the required policy measures. Any macro-economic adjustment programme shall, take into account the national reform programme of the country concerned in the context of the Europe 2020 Strategy for Growth and Jobs.

Amendment  25

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2. The Council, acting by qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, shall approve the adjustment programme.

2. The European Parliament and the Council, on a proposal from the Commission, shall approve the adjustment programme. The Council shall act by qualified majority.

Amendment  26

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

3. The Commission, in liaison with the ECB, shall monitor the progress made in the implementation of the adjustment programme and inform every three months the EFC or any subcommittee the latter may designate for that purpose. The Member State concerned shall give the Commission its full cooperation. It shall in particular provide to the Commission all the information that the latter deems necessary for the monitoring of the programme. Article 3(3) shall apply.

3. The Commission, in liaison with the ECB and the ILO, shall monitor the progress made in the implementation of the adjustment programme and inform every three months the EFC, the EMCO and the SPC, or any subcommittee the said committees may designate for that purpose, as well as the European Parliament and the Parliament of the Member State concerned. The Member State concerned shall give the Commission its full cooperation. It shall in particular provide to the Commission all the information that the latter deems necessary for the monitoring of the programme. Article 3(3) shall apply.

Amendment  27

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 4

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

4. The Commission - in liaison with the ECB - shall examine with the Member State concerned the changes that may be needed to its adjustment programme. The Council, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, shall decide on any change to be made to the adjustment programme.

4. The Commission - in liaison with the ECB - shall examine with the Member State concerned the changes that may be needed to its adjustment programme. The European Parliament and the Council, on a proposal from the Commission, shall decide on any change to be made to the adjustment programme. The Council shall act by a qualified majority.

Amendment  28

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 5

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

5. If the monitoring referred to in paragraph 3 highlights significant deviations from the macro-economic adjustment programme, the Council, acting by qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, may decide that the Member State concerned does not comply with the policy requirements contained in the adjustment programme.

5. If the monitoring referred to in paragraph 3 highlights significant deviations from the macro-economic adjustment programme, the European Parliament and the Council , on a proposal from the Commission, may decide that the Member State concerned does not comply with the policy requirements contained in the adjustment programme. The Council shall act by qualified majority.

Amendment  29

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 7

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

7. The relevant Committee of the European Parliament may invite representatives of the Member State concerned to participate to an exchange of views on the progress made in the implementation of the adjustment programme.

deleted

Justification

These exchange of views should be part of a broader "economic dialogue", which is of utmost importance. Therefore, it is preferable to dedicate a seperate article of this regulation to the "economic dialogue".

Amendment  30

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 8

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

8. Representatives of the Commission may be invited by the Parliament of the Member State concerned to participate to an exchange of views on the progress made in the implementation of the adjustment programme.

deleted

Justification

These exchange of views should be part of a broader "economic dialogue", which is of utmost importance. Therefore, it is preferable to dedicate a seperate article of this regulation to the "economic dialogue".

Amendment  31

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 6 a

 

Economic Dialogue

 

1. In order to enhance the dialogue between the institutions of the Union, in particular the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, and to ensure greater transparency and accountability, the competent committees of the European Parliament may invite the President of the Council, the Commission and, where appropriate, the President of the European Council or the President of the Eurogroup to appear before the committees to discuss the recommendations and decisions taken pursuant to this Regulation.

 

2. The competent committees of the European Parliament may invite representatives of the Member State which is the subject of a Council recommendation or decision under this Regulation, as well as the social partners of that Member State, to participate to an exchange of views.

 

3. Representatives of the Commission may be invited to participate to an exchange of views by the Parliament of the Member State, which is the subject of a Council recommendation or decision under this Regulation.

 

4. The Council and the Commission shall regularly inform the European Parliament of the social and economic results of the application of this Regulation.

Amendment  32

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Consistency with the European Semester for economic policy coordination

deleted

The monitoring provided for by Article 6(3) of this Regulation shall be deemed to replace the monitoring and assessment of the European Semester for economic policy coordination provided for by Article 2a of Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and coordination of economic policies.

 

Amendment  33

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

 

Article 10 a

 

Compatibility with the right to negotiate and to take industrial action

 

In accordance with EU law and with national laws and practices, this Regulation shall not interfere with the right of workers and of employers, or of their respective bodies, to negotiate and sign collective agreements at the appropriate levels and to defend these agreements to take collective actions, including strike actions.

Amendment  34

Proposal for a regulation

Article 11 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1. A Member State shall be under post-programme surveillance as long as a minimum of 75% of the financial assistance received from one or several other Member State(s), the EFSM, the EFSF or the ESM has not been repaid. The Council, acting on a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, may extend the duration of the post programme surveillance.

1. A Member State shall be under post-programme surveillance as long as a minimum of 75% of the financial assistance received from one or several other Member State(s), the EFSM, the EFSF or the ESM has not been repaid. The European Parliament and the Council, acting on a proposal from the Commission, may extend the duration of the post-programme surveillance. The Council shall act by qualified majority.

Amendment  35

Proposal for a regulation

Article 11 – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

3. The Commission shall conduct, in liaison with the ECB, regular review missions in the Member State under post programme surveillance to assess its economic, fiscal and financial situation. It shall communicate every semester its findings to the EFC or to any subcommittee the latter may designate for that purpose and assess notably whether corrective measures are needed.

3. The Commission shall conduct, in liaison with the ECB, regular review missions in the Member State under post-programme surveillance to assess its economic, fiscal and financial situation. It shall communicate every semester its findings to the EFC, the EMCO and the SPC or to any subcommittee the said committees may designate for that purpose and assess notably whether corrective measures are needed.

Amendment              36

Proposal for a regulation

Article 11 – paragraph 4

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

4. The Council, acting by qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, may recommend to the Member State under post programme surveillance to adopt corrective measures.

4. The European Parliament and the Council, acting on a proposal from the Commission, may recommend to the Member State under post-programme surveillance to adopt corrective measures. The Council shall act by qualified majority.

Amendment  37

Proposal for a regulation

Article 12 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

For the measures referred to in Articles 2(1), 3, 6(2), 6(4) and 11(4), only members of the Council representing Member States whose currency is the euro shall vote and the Council shall act without taking into account the vote of the member of the Council representing the Member State concerned.

For the measures referred to in this regulation, only members of the Council representing Member States whose currency is the euro shall vote and the Council shall act without taking into account the vote of the member of the Council representing the Member State concerned.

PROCEDURE

Title

Strengthening of economic and budgetary surveillance of Member States experiencing or threatened with serious difficulties with respect to their financial stability in the euro area

References

COM(2011)0819 – C7-0449/2011 – 2011/0385(COD)

Committee responsible

       Date announced in plenary

ECON

15.12.2011

 

 

 

Committee(s) asked for opinion(s)

       Date announced in plenary

EMPL

15.12.2011

 

 

 

Rapporteur(s)

       Date appointed

Frédéric Daerden

15.12.2011

 

 

 

Discussed in committee

13.2.2012

1.3.2012

26.3.2012

 

Date adopted

27.3.2012

 

 

 

Result of final vote

+:

–:

0:

36

6

4

Members present for the final vote

Regina Bastos, Edit Bauer, Heinz K. Becker, Pervenche Berès, Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, Philippe Boulland, Milan Cabrnoch, David Casa, Alejandro Cercas, Ole Christensen, Derek Roland Clark, Marije Cornelissen, Emer Costello, Frédéric Daerden, Karima Delli, Sari Essayah, Thomas Händel, Marian Harkin, Roger Helmer, Nadja Hirsch, Danuta Jazłowiecka, Jean Lambert, Veronica Lope Fontagné, Olle Ludvigsson, Thomas Mann, Elisabeth Morin-Chartier, Csaba Őry, Siiri Oviir, Konstantinos Poupakis, Elisabeth Schroedter, Joanna Katarzyna Skrzydlewska, Jutta Steinruck, Traian Ungureanu, Inês Cristina Zuber

Substitute(s) present for the final vote

Sergio Gaetano Cofferati, Tamás Deutsch, Sergio Gutiérrez Prieto, Richard Howitt, Filiz Hakaeva Hyusmenova, Ramona Nicole Mănescu, Ria Oomen-Ruijten, Csaba Sógor, Gabriele Zimmer

Substitute(s) under Rule 187(2) present for the final vote

Phil Bennion, Ioan Enciu, Louis Grech


PROCEDURE

Title

Strengthening of economic and budgetary surveillance of Member States experiencing or threatened with serious difficulties with respect to their financial stability in the euro area

References

COM(2011)0819 – C7-0449/2011 – 2011/0385(COD)

Date submitted to Parliament

23.11.2011

 

 

 

Committee responsible

       Date announced in plenary

ECON

15.12.2011

 

 

 

Committee(s) asked for opinion(s)

       Date announced in plenary

BUDG

15.12.2011

EMPL

15.12.2011

 

 

Not delivering opinions

       Date of decision

BUDG

29.2.2012

 

 

 

Rapporteur(s)

       Date appointed

Jean-Paul Gauzès

25.10.2011

 

 

 

Discussed in committee

9.1.2012

28.2.2012

26.3.2012

 

Date adopted

14.5.2012

 

 

 

Result of final vote

+:

–:

0:

25

4

13

Members present for the final vote

Burkhard Balz, Elena Băsescu, Sharon Bowles, Udo Bullmann, Pascal Canfin, Nikolaos Chountis, Leonardo Domenici, Derk Jan Eppink, Diogo Feio, Elisa Ferreira, Ildikó Gáll-Pelcz, Jean-Paul Gauzès, Sven Giegold, Sylvie Goulard, Liem Hoang Ngoc, Gunnar Hökmark, Syed Kamall, Othmar Karas, Jürgen Klute, Philippe Lamberts, Werner Langen, Astrid Lulling, Hans-Peter Martin, Ivari Padar, Alfredo Pallone, Antolín Sánchez Presedo, Olle Schmidt, Edward Scicluna, Peter Simon, Marianne Thyssen, Ramon Tremosa i Balcells, Corien Wortmann-Kool, Pablo Zalba Bidegain

Substitute(s) present for the final vote

Robert Goebbels, Roberto Gualtieri, Carl Haglund, Thomas Mann, Mario Mauro, Gianni Pittella

Substitute(s) under Rule 187(2) present for the final vote

Alejandro Cercas, Monika Hohlmeier, Ria Oomen-Ruijten

Date tabled

24.5.2012

Last updated: 6 March 2013Legal notice