Diversity of public finance management instruments in EU countries

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to evaluate the implementation of public management instruments such as: independent fiscal institutions, fiscal rules and medium-term budgetary frameworks, with reference to the requirements set by EU legislation. The author uses a comparative analysis of the solutions applied in individual EU countries – based on the database of independent fiscal institutions, fiscal rules and medium-term budgetary frameworks published by the European Commission. EU regulations (‘six-pack’, ‘two-pack’) are described as regards the implementation of independent fiscal institutions, fiscal rules and medium-term budgetary frameworks. On the basis of a literature review, the influence of these instruments on the creation of fiscal stability conditions is assessed. The conducted analysis of the solutions applied in individual countries made it possible to indicate the lack of a uniform model for the functioning of individual instruments in EU countries. Additionally, it was found that the highest dynamics of these instruments can be observed in those countries which have experienced significant fiscal tensions in recent years.