Is it possible to establish a fiscal union within the EU?

The objective of this publication is to offer an answer to the question whether the European Union and, in particular, the full-fledged members of the Economic and Monetary Union, have the ability to develop common solutions leading to the process of further integration. It is a valid question in the context of visible differences in views expressed by ordinary citizens and EU politicians. On the one hand, countries in financial distress expect support from other member states claiming that it is an obligation of the community as a whole (referring to the idea of integration); on the other hand, they state that meeting specific requirements in return for financial aid undermines their state sovereignty. The work presents an analysis of the hitherto activities in the area of EU fiscal consolidation and describes the theoretical format and scope of fiscal union, the possible functions of common bonds, the effects of the issue of bonds (in the context of spreading risk among issuers and the impact on fiscal discipline), and, finally, the role of disintegration processes in the context of public finance issues.

Autorentext

Katarzyna Stabry a-Chudzio, Ph.D., lecturer at the Department of Finance at the Cracow University of Economics, author of over fifty publications, including book chapters and publications in national and international journals concerning mainly the public finance, European Union finance and budget planning methods.