2023 European Semester – Spring Package

Summary:

Communication adopted by the European Commission on 24May 2023, setting out the main elements of the Spring Package of the 2023 cycle of the European Semester.

Further information:

The European Commission's 2023 European Semester Spring Package provides Member States with support and guidance for a robust and future-proof economy that secures competitiveness and long-term prosperity for all in the face of a challenging geopolitical environment. The European Semester provides the policy coordination framework for an integrated approach across all policy areas, embedding the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and cohesion policy programmes. The cycle also provides updated reporting on progress towards the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across Member States. It draws upon the Spring 2023 Economic Forecast previously published by the European Commission.

Besides this Communication, the 2023 European Semester Spring Package includes:

• Country reports for 27 Member States;
• Country-specific recommendations (CSRs) for 27 Member States;
• In-depth reviews for 17 Member States;
• Fiscal Statistical Tables accompanying the assessment of the 2023 Stability and Convergence Programmes;
• Report on compliance with the deficit and debt criteria of the Treaty;
• Post-programme surveillance reports for Ireland, Spain, Cyprus, Portugal, and Greece;
• Proposal for a Council Decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States.

• Primary Source

News

Cyprus Mail, 24/05/2023: Finance Ministry welcomes upgrade by European Commission https://cyprus-mail.com/2023/05/24/finance-ministry-welcomes-upgrade-by-european-commission/

Reuters, 24/05/2023: EU recommends end to energy support in 2023 to help fiscal policy https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/eu-recommends-end-energy-support-2023-help-fiscal-policy-2023-05-24/

EUObserver, 24/05/2023: EU: national energy price-spike measures should end this year https://euobserver.com/green-economy/157073

EurActiv, 24/05/2023: No more energy aid in 2024, EU Commission urges member states https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/no-more-energy-aid-in-2024-eu-commission-urges-member-states/

Euronews, 24/05/2023: Brussels urges EU countries to end energy support measures by year-end https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/05/24/brussels-urges-eu-countries-to-end-energy-support-measures-by-year-end

Bloomberg. 24/05/2023: EU Nations Told to Prioritize Inflation Fight Amid Turbulence https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-24/eu-nations-told-to-prioritize-inflation-fight-in-uncertain-times?srnd=economics-v2&leadSource=uverify%20wall

The Brussels Times, 25/05/2023: EU rules require Belgium cuts budget by €2.7 billion, unions warn of 'return to austerity' https://www.brusselstimes.com/519098/eu-rules-require-belgium-cuts-budget-by-e2-7-billion-unions-warn-of-return-to-austerity

Kathimerini, 25/05/2023: EU calls on Athens to rein in expenditure https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1211850/eu-calls-on-athens-to-rein-in-expenditure/

Romania Insider, 25/05/2023: EC: Fiscal consolidation should be main tool to reduce Romania's external imbalances https://www.romania-insider.com/ec-romania-fiscal-consolidation-external-imbalances-2023

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Official

European Commission: Publications: 2023 European Semester: Spring package https://commission.europa.eu/publications/2023-european-semester-spring-package_en

European Commission: Economic and Fiscal Policy Coordination: European Semester https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/economic-and-fiscal-policy-coordination/european-semester_en

European Commission: Press Release, 24/05/2023: Policy guidance under the European Semester: Sustaining reforms and investments to secure the EU's long-term prosperity, competitiveness, fairness and resilience https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_2872

European Commission: Questions and answers on the 2023 European Semester Spring Package (24 May 2023) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_23_2873

European Commission: Remarks by Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis at the press conference on the 2023 European Semester Spring Package (24 May 2023) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_23_2905

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