FISCAL CONSOLIDATION – LESSONS FORM THE PAST

Abstract

Fiscal consolidation is one of the most commonly used instruments of fiscal policy in order to "recover" the economy of a country. Successful implementation of the fiscal consolidation plan leads to a reduction of the budget deficit and public debt, with expansive effects primarily related to GDP growth. However, the success of fiscal consolidation does not depend only on a good plan or precise strategy. The complexity of fiscal consolidation requires knowledge of the entire macroeconomic system. The aim of this paper is to, based on previous experience, define the conditions which determine successful fiscal consolidation. Also, the paper will emphasize the most common mistakes which prevent consolidation from going in the desired direction. It should be mentioned that there is no unique fiscal policy and that each country has the opportunity to formulate a fiscal consolidation strategy based on its predispositions, expecting to bring the best results.