Launch of the 2017 European Semester

Find related information in ESO regarding the adoption of national budgets in different member states:

+ Italy
+ Spain
+ Portugal
+ Germany
+ Belgium
+ FranceThe European Commission set out on 16 November 2016 its views on the economic and social priorities in the European Union for the year ahead.

The European Semester Autumn Package started the 2017 cycle of economic governance, the so-called European Semester. The policy guidance in the Annual Growth Survey is accompanied by a Communication on the euro area's fiscal stance, a recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area, as well as a thorough analysis of economic, labour market and social conditions. The Commission also issued its Opinions on the Draft Budgetary Plans of euro area Member States for 2017.

The Commission also announced its decision not to move forward with a proposal to suspend structural funding to Portugal and Spain in the context of their Excessive Deficit Procedures. This followed a recommendation from the European Parliament in the framework of the structured dialogue.

A debate was held at the European Parliament's plenary session on 22 November 2016 over the EU's economic priorities for 2017 and the European Semester.

• Primary Source

European Commission: DG Communication: MEMO/16/3711, 16.11.16: Start of the 2017 European Semester: Autumn Package http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-16-3711_en.htm

European Commission: DG Communication: SPEECH/16/3734, 16.11.16: Remarks by Vice-President Dombrovskis at the European Commission press conference on the Autumn Economic Package http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-16-3734_en.htm

European Commission: DG Communication: SPEECH/16/3732, 16.11.16: Remarks by Commissioner Thyssen on the 2017 Joint Employment Report at the European Commission press conference on the Autumn Economic Package http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-16-3732_en.htm

European Commission: DG Economic and Financial Affairs: EU economic governance: Stability and Growth Pact: Draft budgetary plans of euro area Member States http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/economic_governance/sgp/budgetary_plans/index_en.htm

EurActiv, 17.11.16: Brussels makes timid fiscal push to reverse austerity, counter populist wave http://www.euractiv.com/section/euro-finance/news/brussels-makes-timid-fiscal-push-to-reverse-austerity-counter-populist-wave/

Cyprus Mail, 16.11.16: European Commission warns Cyprus over budget http://cyprus-mail.com/2016/11/16/commission-warns-cyprus-budget/

The Wall Street Journal, 16.11.16: EU Cracks Budget Whip Over Italy, Spain and Portugal http://www.wsj.com/articles/eu-cracks-budget-whip-over-france-italy-spain-1479296059

Politico, 15.11.16: Italy, seven others under EU budget hammer http://www.politico.eu/article/italy-seven-others-under-eu-budget-hammer/

Irish Independent, 17.11.16: Brussels warning on 'volatile' tax intake and overspending http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/brussels-warning-on-volatile-tax-intake-and-overspending-35222551.html

Politico, 16.11.16: Brussels does the full Keynes http://www.politico.eu/article/brussels-does-the-full-keynes/

EUObserver, 16.11.16: EU 'finance ministry' pardons Italy and Spain https://euobserver.com/economic/135929

European Parliament: Press Release, 22.11.16: Avoiding austerity: EU economic priorities debate http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20161117IPR51560/

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