Report
Patrick Artus

German Basic Law precludes a fiscal deficit: How does it apply nowadays?

German Basic Law of 1949 precludes a fiscal deficit. This was a reaction to the turmoil of the interwar period when hyperinflation appeared as public debt was monetised. Inflation is obviously a tax levied on the money holdings of all economic agents. But there is now a realisation in all OECD countries that the consequence of the highly expansionary monetary policies is no longer inflation, but abnormally low interest rates relative to growth. The cost of monetisation of public debt is therefore no longer inflation (and the inflation tax), but a taxation of savers via low interest rates. It is likely that this new form of tax linked to monetisation will be as rejected as the inflation tax in Germany.
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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