Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/26656 
Year of Publication: 
2009
Series/Report no.: 
CESifo Working Paper No. 2611
Publisher: 
Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo), Munich
Abstract: 
Using an extended data set of EU countries ranging from 1971-2006 and relevant econometric methods, we investigate the economic, political, and institutional determinants of government deficits in the EU. The results show a strong opportunistic behaviour of policymakers which leads to political business cycles. We find that political fragmentation does not play a significant role in government deficits. Partisan behaviour has a weak effect. The stability of the government has a significant negative impact on the size of the budget deficit. The paper also shows the significant effects of the Maastricht Treaty on fiscal consolidation.
Subjects: 
fiscal policy
European Monetary Union
JEL: 
C33
E62
H6
H87
Document Type: 
Working Paper
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