The biggest economies in the euro area are skeptical. The concept emerges from discussions aimed at bolstering the euro's status as a global reserve currency. However, several nations hesitate, believing that certain member states lack adequate discipline over their national budgets.
Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo put forward the idea of a European Sovereign Facility that would enable the European Commission to handle part of the borrowing for EU nations.
Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis said, "The proposal will be considered," and technical discussions are scheduled to proceed. EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis remarked that the topic of joint debt has been raised before, but is now emerging in the context of the bloc's upcoming multi-year budget.
Officials from France and Austria expressed worries about the risk of encouraging reckless fiscal behavior.
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Finland's finance minister told journalists before the meeting, "We cannot support further collective borrowing." Only Portugal showed support for the proposal.
The idea of EU countries borrowing together has been explored before. During the pandemic, the bloc launched the NextGenerationEU recovery fund, issuing around €800 billion in common bonds. That program, however, was temporary and tied to specific spending.
The NextGenerationEU program was a one-time response to the pandemic crisis, issuing €800 billion in joint bonds that were tied to specific green and digital investments. In contrast, Spain's proposal envisions a permanent facility that could issue debt for general budgetary purposes, which raises deeper questions about fiscal union. Proponents argue that a steady supply of highly rated EU bonds would rival U.S. Treasuries, deepening the euro's global role. However, critics caution that without a centralized fiscal authority to enforce discipline, the facility could become a backstop for profligate spending.
Spain's new proposal would create a permanent facility for ongoing borrowing, potentially transforming the EU's fiscal architecture. The debate also touches on the bloc's upcoming seven-year budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework, which will need to address competing priorities.
The push for a permanent joint debt facility reflects ongoing debates about the future of the eurozone. Proponents argue that a larger market for EU bonds would increase liquidity and attractiveness to global investors, strengthening the euro's role alongside the dollar. Critics, however, fear that without strict fiscal rules, countries with high debt levels could become overly reliant on EU borrowing, reducing incentives for national reforms.
This discussion formed part of a Eurogroup conversation about enhancing the euro's role as a reserve currency. Some economists and officials contend that expanding the supply of EU bonds would support that objective.
Yet many countries remain wary, concerned that certain governments do not maintain enough fiscal discipline. They worry about creating a system where bad habits get rewarded.
Talks will continue at a technical level among euro-area officials. The joint-debt discussion is part of broader work on the EU's next seven-year budget.
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