Go Big or Go Home? The ECB’s Asset Purchase Programmes in Macroeconomic Perspective

Until this year, governments in the single currency area appeared to be ‘missing in action’. There is belated recognition that monetary and fiscal policies must coordinate especially in crisis conditions. The euro area has experienced crisis or near crisis conditions for over a decade. Lessons are being learned late but there continue to be several gaps that the euro area and its members need to close. The paper highlights these and the continuing threats to the single currency area. This document was provided by Policy Department A at the request of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON).