Report
Patrick Artus

Do the euro-zone countries still have economic policy leeway?

Of course, euro-zone countries do not control their monetary or exchange rate policy. But these countries do want to retain the freedom to choose other economic policies (this is clear to see in the present case of Italy, for example). Can they? Demand-stimulus policies (expansionary fiscal policy, rapid credit growth) run into the inability of the euro-zone countries to have external deficits, since these deficits would not be financeable due to the end of capital mobility between the countries; Wage policies cannot be independent: a faster increase in wages in one country worsens its cost competitiveness, and it is too costly to restore cost competitiveness with an internal devaluation. It must therefore be admit ted that macroeconomic policy is extremely constrained in the euro-zone countries.
Provider
Natixis
Natixis

Based across the world’s leading financial centers, Natixis CIB Research offers an integrated view of the markets. The team provides support to inform Natixis clients’ investment and hedging decisions across all asset classes.

 

Analysts
Patrick Artus

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