France: Lessons from Past Fiscal Consolidation Plans

France: Lessons from Past Fiscal Consolidation Plans
ISBN-10
1455233153
ISBN-13
9781455233151
Series
France
Category
Business & Economics
Pages
28
Language
English
Published
2011-04-01
Publisher
International Monetary Fund
Authors
Mrs.Irina Yakadina, Edouard Martin, Ms.Irina Tytell

Description

This paper analyzes past fiscal consolidation plans and their outcomes in France. It covers the early attempts at fiscal consolidation in the 1970s and the 1980s (Plan Barre and Virage de la Rigueur), the first episode of medium-term fiscal consolidation in 1994-97 ahead of joining the European Economic and Monetary Union, and the fiscal consolidation under the corrective arm of the European Stability and Growth Pact in 2003-07. These experiences offer important lessons for the future, suggesting that binding constraints help focus policymakers’ attention and justify their actions; spending restraint needs to be shared and coordinated across all levels of government; and appropriate deficit targets could help in enforcing budgetary discipline in good times.

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