Web appendix for
Debt Rule Federalism: The Case of Germany
Erschienen in:
Zeitschrift für Staats- und Europawissenschaften/
Journal of Comparative Government and European Policy
Sarah Ciaglia (Federal Ministry of Finance)
Friedrich Heinemann (ZEW Mannheim and University of Heidelberg)
December 2013
BW
Categories
Description
A
Legal base
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
Part of Rule
Regulations
Relaxations
"in principle" no borrowing Borrowing allowed in case
(considering business cycle of natural catastrophes or
developments), deviations extraordinary emergencies,
are recorded on a control
simultaneously decide
account, decreasing limits
redemption plan (adequat
time span)
for borrowing until 2019;
additional tax income used
for debt redemption
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
Constitution Art. 79 (1)
Constitution Art. 79, LHO
sentence 2, LHO Art. 18 (1) Art. 18 (1 - 5), Coalition
Agreement 2011
4
Total Points
BBR: constitution Art. 84
Constitution Art. 68 (2) No
sentence 2, LHO Art. 18 (6) 2; Stability Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2, StabiRatG
3
3
Std. Points
Sanctions
A fourth of the
Parliament´s members or
the government can take
the budget to the
constitutional court;
Stability Council monitors
enforcement, if a budgetary
emergency occurs, the
Council sets up and
monitors the financial
restructuring programme
4
There are no specific
sanctions (valid for every
bill), the Stability Council
only monitors the
enforcement but cannot
sanction defections or
impose corrective measures
14 / 16
0.88
1 / 4
0.25
1.50 / 4
0.5 / 1
0.38
0.50
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
4
1
1
1
1
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1
D
E
Strict aim
Strict rule
1.5
0.5
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
5
Borrowing: 2 (speficied in
HGrG)
3
3
Natural catastrophe: 2 (not Legal provisions are clearly
specified in detail but
defined
general understanding, use
must be justified)
In principle: 2 (control
account)
Extraordinary emergencies:
1 (out of the state's
control, seriously affecting
budget)
Business cycle: 2 (tax
revenue, "financial
transactions")
Redemption plan: 1 (time
span not specified)
Limits: 2 (decreasing limits
for borrowing)
Tax income: 2 (specified by
term 'tax')
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
0
1
Sum
Index score
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
12 / 20
5
3
4
32.50
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.60
0.83
0.50
0.50
0.62
BY
Categories
Description
Part of Rule
Regulations
Relaxations
BBR: "in principle" no
Borrowing allowed in order
borrowing, borrowing up
to respond to disturbance
of macroeconomic
until an amount equal to
the amount of expenditures equilibrium
for investments allowed in
order to respond to
requirements of
macroeconomic
equilibrium; no new net
borrowing in all years until
end of legislativ period
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
DR: debt stock of zero in
2030
A
Legal base
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
Total Points
Std. Points
Sanctions
Majority of the
Parliament´s members can
take the budget to the
constitutional court;
Stability Council monitors
enforcement, if a budgetary
emergency occurs, the
Council sets up and
monitors the financial
restructuring programme
DR: debt stock reduction
until 2030 (respecting
business cycle
developments)
Constitution Art. 82, BayHO Constitution Art. 82, BayHO Constitution Art. 82,
Art. 18 (1)
Art. 18 (1) + (2)
BayHO Art. 18 (3)
4
3
GeschO Art 87, Art. 122
(1); Stability Council:
Federal constitution Art.
109a sentence 1 No 2,
StabiRatG
3
3
There are no specific
sanctions (valid for every
bill), the Stability Council
only monitors the
enforcement but cannot
sanction defections or
impose corrective measures
13 / 16
0.81
1 / 4
0.25
1.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.44
0.75
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
2
1
1
0
0
0.50
1.00
1.00
0.00
0.00
1
D
E
1.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
2
3
Borrowing: 2 (specified by
HGrG)
0
3
Legal provisions are clearly
defined
0
0
0
2
0
1
Disturbance of the
macroeconomic
equilibrium: 0 (not
specified)
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
8 / 20
0.40
In principle: 1 (not clearly
specified)
Investments: 1 (vague
definition in BayHO Art. 13
(3) No 2 sentence 2)
Macroeconomic
equilibrium: 0 (not
specified)
Debt reduction: 1 (debt
specified but not way to
reduction)
Strict aim
Strict rule
2
1
0
2
Sum
Index score
3
0
5
25.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.50
0.00
0.63
0.48
BY - from 2020 on
Categories
Description
A
Legal base
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
Part of Rule
Regulations
Relaxations
BBR: "in principle" no
Higher borrowing allowed in
borrowing, symmetric
order to respond to natural
adaption to business cycle catastrophes, extraordinary
fluctuations, borrowing up emergencies,
until an amount equal to
simultaneously decide a
the amount of expenditures redemption plan (adequat
for investments allowed in time span) or to
order to respond to
disturbance of
requirements of
macroeconomic equilibrium
macroeconomic equilibrium
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
DR: debt stock of zero in
2030
DR: debt stock reduction
until 2030
Constituion Art. 82 (1),
BayHo Art. 18(1)
Constitution Art. 82 (1) and Constitution Art. 82 (3),
(2), BayHO Art. 18 (1) +
BayHO Art. 18 (3)
(2)
4
4
Total Points
GeschO Art 87, Art. 122
(1); Stability Council:
Federal constitution Art.
109a sentence 1 No 2,
StabiRatG
4
Std. Points
Sanctions
Majority of the
Parliament´s members can
take the budget to the
constitutional court;
Stability Council monitors
enforcement, if a budgetary
emergency occurs, the
Council sets up and
monitors the financial
restructuring programme
3
There are no specific
sanctions (valid for every
bill), the Stability Council
only monitors the
enforcement but cannot
sanction defections or
impose corrective measures
15 / 16
0.94
1 / 4
0.25
1.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.44
0.75
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
4
1
1
1
1
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1
D
E
1.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
2
4
Borrowing: 2 (specified in
HGrG)
4
3
Natural catastrophe: 2 (not Legal provisions are clearly
specified in detail but
defined
general understanding, use
must be justified)
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
13 / 20
0.65
In principle: 2 (referring to Extraordinary emergencies:
business cycle fluctuations) 1 (out of the state's control
and serious effect on
state's finances, use must
be justified)
Business cycle: 0 (adaption
not specified)
Investments: 1 (vague
definition in BayHO Art. 13
(3) No 2 sentence 2)
Redemption plan: 1
(adequate time span)
Disturbance of the
macroeconomic
equilibrium: 0 (not
specified)
Macroeconomic
equilibrium: 0 (not
specified)
Debt reduction: 1 (debt
specified but not way to
reduction)
Strict aim
Strict rule
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
2
0
1
Sum
Index score
4
2
7
34.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.67
0.33
0.88
0.66
BE
Categories
Description
A
Legal base
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
Part of Rule
Regulations
Relaxations
Borrowing above
If there are no other
financial means to cover
investments-clause allowed
expenditures, borrowing is in order to respond to a
allowed up until an amount "disturbance of the
equal to the amount of
macroeconomic
equilibrium"
expenditures for
investments, no new net
borrowing from 2016 on,
additional income or less
expenditures used for debt
redemption, less income
balanced by less
expenditures
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
KonsHilfG: numerical limits Structural deficit above
for structural deficit until
limits allowed in case of
2019
exceptional situations
(must be approved by the
Stability Council)
ER: max. yearly increase of Max. increase of
expenditures of 0,3%
expenditures of 0,3% per
year referring to year
before
BBR: constitution Art. 87,
BBR: constitution Art. 87,
BBR: constitution Art. 87,
KonsHilfG Art. 2, VV
LHO Art. 18, KonsHilfG Art. LHO Art. 18, VV KonsHilfG
KonsHilfG Art. 4; ER: mid- 2, VV KonsHilfG, coalition
Art. 6
term budget plan
agreement 2011; ER: midterm budget plan
3
D
E
3
Total Points
Financial Support is cut off
if Stability Council
considers limits exceeded
Constitution Art. 84 (2) No
3, VV KonsHilfG Art. 8;
Stability Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2, StabiRatG
3
3
Financial support is cut off,
implicit obligation for
corrective measures
3
1.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
1
0
2
5
Borrowing: 2 (defined by
structural deficit)
Std. Points
Sanctions
A fourth of the
Parliament´s members or
the government can take
the budget to the
constitutional court;
Stability Council monitors
enforcement, if a budgetary
emergency occurs, the
Council sets up and
monitors the financial
restructuring programme
4
5
Disturbance of the
Legal provisions are clearly
defined
macroeconomic
equilibrium: 1 (not
specified, but the
disturbance and that
borrowing will help to repel
it must be defined by law)
Investments: 1 (vague
Exceptional situations: 0
definition in LHO Art. 13 (3) (not specified, Stability
No 2 sentence 2)
Council is free to determine
a situation as exceptionnal)
12 / 16
0.75
3 / 4
0.75
1.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.44
0.75
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
2
0
1
1
0
0.50
0.00
1.00
1.00
0.00
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
16 / 20
0.80
Exceeded limit: 2
(numerical definition, but:
vulnerable to interpretation
of "exceptional situations")
Structural deficit: 2 (clear
definition and method for
calculation in VV KonsHilfG)
Income: 1 (not sure if LHO
Art. 13 (4) No 2 applies)
Strict aim
Strict rule
Expenditures: 1 (not sure if
LHO Art. 13 (4) No 2
applies)
1
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
2
Sum
Index score
4
4
8
34.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.67
0.67
1.00
0.65
BE - from 2020 on
Categories
Part of Rule
Total Points
Description
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
Regulations
If there are no other
financial means to cover
expenditures, borrowing is
allowed up until an amount
equal to the amount of
expenditures for
investments
Relaxations
Borrowing above
investments-clause allowed
in order to respond to a
"disturbance of the
macroeconomic
equilibrium"
Sanctions
A fourth of the
Parliament´s members or
the government can take
the budget to the
constitutional court;
Stability Council monitors
enforcement, if a budgetary
emergency occurs, the
Council sets up and
monitors the financial
restructuring programme
A
Legal base
BBR: constitution Art. 87
BBR: constitution Art. 87,
LHO Art. 18
BBR: constitution Art. 87,
LHO Art. 18
Constitution Art. 84 (2) No
3; Stability Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2, StabiRatG
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
4
4
4
4
There are no specific
sanctions (valid for every
bill), the Stability Council
only monitors the
enforcement but cannot
sanction defections or
impose corrective measures
Std. Points
16 / 16
1.00
1 / 4
0.25
1.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.44
0.75
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
1
0
1
0
0
0.25
0.00
1.00
0.00
0.00
1
D
E
Strict aim
Strict rule
1.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
2
Borrowing: 2 (speficied in
HGrG)
Investments: 1 (vague
definition in LHO Art. 13 (3)
No 2 sentence 2)
2
0
1
0
1
3
Disturbance of the
Legal provisions are clearly
defined
macroeconomic
equilibrium: 1 (not
specified, but the
disturbance and that
borrowing will help to repel
it must be defined by law)
1
0
0
2
0
1
Sum
Index score
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
7 / 20
5
0
2
26.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.35
0.83
0.00
0.25
0.46
BB
Categories
Description
A
Legal base
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
Part of Rule
Regulations
Relaxations
Borrowing above
Max. borrowing equal to
the amount of expenditures investments-clause allowed
in order to respond to a
for investments (incl.
macroeconomic equilibrium "disturbance of the
and protection of natural
macroeconomic
living conditions of present equilibrium"
and future generations),
less income balanced by
less expenditures, debt
redemption in economically
good times, no new net
borrowing from 2016 on
Basic rule
BBR: Balanced budget
Constitution Art. 101 (2)
sentence 4
Constitution Art. 103 (1)
sentence 2 and Art. 101
(1), LHO Art. 18 (1), midterm financial plan 20122016
4
Constitution Art. 103 (1)
sentence 3
4
Total Points
Constitution Art. 68(2) No
2; Stability Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2, StabiRatG
4
Std. Points
Sanctions
A fifth of the Parliament´s
members or the
government can take the
budget to the constitutional
court; Stability Council
monitors enforcement, if a
budgetary emergency
occurs, the Council sets up
and monitors the financial
restructuring programme
4
There are no specific
sanctions (valid for every
bill), the Stability Council
only monitors the
enforcement but cannot
sanction defections or
impose corrective measures
16 / 16
1.00
1 / 4
0.25
1.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.44
0.75
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
2
1
1
0
0
0.50
1.00
1.00
0.00
0.00
1
D
E
1.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
2
Borrowing: 2 (speficied in
HGrG)
1
3
Disturbance of the
Legal provisions are clearly
defined
macroeconomic
equilibrium: 1 (not
specified, but the
disturbance and that
borrowing will help to repel
it must be defined by law)
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
7 / 20
0.35
Investments: 1 (definition
in LHO Art. 13 (3) No 2
sentence 2 and VV-HH
3.2.1.1 )
Natural living conditions: 0
(not specified)
Income: 1 (not sure if LHO
Art. 13 (4) sentence 2
applies)
Expenditures: 1 (not sure if
LHO Art. 13 (4) sentence 2
applies)
Strict aim
Strict rule
Economically good times: 0
(not specified)
1
1
1
0
1
0
0
2
0
1
Sum
Index score
4
1
2
27.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.67
0.17
0.25
0.51
HB
Categories
Description
A
Legal base
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
Part of Rule
Regulations
Relaxations
Max. borrowing equal to
Borrowing above
the amount of expenditures investments-clause allowed
for investments
in order to respond to a
"disturbance of the
macroeconomic
equilibrium"
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
KonsHilfG: numerical limits Structral deficit above
for structural deficit until
limits allowed in case of
exceptional situations
2019
(must be approved by the
Stability Council)
Constitution Art. 131a
Constitution Art. 131a
sentence 2, LHO Art. 18
sentence 2, LHO Art. 18
(1), KonsHilfG Art. 2, VV
(1), VV KonsHilfG Art. 6
KonsHilfG
Constitution Art. 131a
sentence 2, KonsHilfG Art.
2, VV KonsHilfG Art. 4
3
D
E
3
Total Points
Financial Support is cut off
if Stability Council
considers limits exceeded
Constitution Art. 140 (1);
Stability Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2,
StabiRatG, VV KonsHilfG
Art. 8
3
3
Financial support is cut off,
implicit obligation for
corrective measures
3
1.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
1
0
1
6
Borrowing: 2 (speficied in
HGrG)
Std. Points
Sanctions
A fifth of the Parliament´s
members, the government
or another institution under
public law can take the
budget to the constitutional
court; Stability Council
monitors enforcement, if a
budgetary emergency
occurs, the Council sets up
and monitors the financial
restructuring programme
3
Disturbance of the
macroeconomic
equilibrium: 0 (not
specified)
Investments: 1 (vague
Exceptional situations: 0
definition in LHO Art. 13 (3) (not specified, Stability
No 2 sentence 2)
Council is free to determine
a situation as exceptionnal)
5
Legal provisions are clearly
defined
12 / 16
0.75
3 / 4
0.75
1.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.44
0.75
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
2
0
1
1
0
0.50
0.00
1.00
1.00
0.00
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
15 / 20
0.75
Exceeded limit: 2
(numerical definition, but:
vulnerable to interpretation
of "exceptional situations")
Structural deficit: 2 (clear
definition and method for
calculation in VV KonsHilfG)
Strict aim
Strict rule
1
2
2
2
0
1
2
2
1
2
Sum
Index score
4
4
7
33.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.67
0.67
0.88
0.64
HB - from 2020 on
Categories
Description
A
Legal base
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
Part of Rule
Total Points
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
Regulations
Max. borrowing equal to
the amount of expenditures
for investments
Constitution Art. 131a
sentence 2
Constitution Art. 131a
Constitution Art. 131a
Constitution Art. 140 (1);
sentence 2, LHO Art. 18 (1) sentence 2, LHO Art. 18 (1) Stability Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2, StabiRatG
4
Relaxations
Borrowing above
investments-clause allowed
in order to respond to a
"disturbance of the
macroeconomic
equilibrium"
4
4
Std. Points
Sanctions
A fifth of the Parliament´s
members, the government
or another institution under
public law can take the
budget to the constitutional
court; Stability Council
monitors enforcement, if a
budgetary emergency
occurs, the Council sets up
and monitors the financial
restructuring programme
4
There are no specific
sanctions (valid for every
bill), the Stability Council
only monitors the
enforcement but cannot
sanction defections or
impose corrective measures
16 / 16
1.00
1 / 4
0.25
1.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.44
0.75
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
1
0
1
0
0
0.25
0.00
1.00
0.00
0.00
1
D
E
Strict aim
Strict rule
1.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
2
Borrowing: 2 (speficied in
HGrG)
Investments: 1 (vague
definition in LHO Art. 13 (3)
No 2 sentence 2)
2
0
1
0
0
3
Legal provisions are clearly
defined
0
0
0
2
0
1
Disturbance of the
macroeconomic
equilibrium: 0 (not
specified)
Sum
Index score
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
6 / 20
4
0
2
25.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.30
0.67
0.00
0.25
0.45
HH
Categories
Description
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
A
Legal base
Constitution Art. 72 (1)
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
Part of Rule
Regulations
Relaxations
Max. borrowing equal to
Borrowing above
the amount of expenditures investments-clause allowed
for investments; until 2019 in case of "extraordinary
continuous reduction of the demands" (LHO:
structural deficit, limits for "disturbance of the
expenditures
macroeconomic
equilibrium")
Constitution Art. 72 (1),
LHO Art. 18 (1), FRG
4
Constitution Art. 72 (1),
LHO Art. 18 (1)
4
Total Points
Constitution Art. 65 (3) No
3; Stability Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2, StabiRatG
3
Std. Points
Sanctions
A fifth of the Parliament´s
members or the
government can take the
budget to the constitutional
court; Stability Council
monitors enforcement, if a
budgetary emergency
occurs, the Council sets up
and monitors the financial
restructuring programme
4
There are no specific
sanctions (valid for every
bill), the Stability Council
only monitors the
enforcement but cannot
sanction defections or
impose corrective measures
15 / 16
0.94
1 / 4
0.25
1.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.44
0.75
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
1
0
1
0
0
0.25
0.00
1.00
0.00
0.00
1
D
E
1.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
5
Borrowing: 2 (speficied in
HGrG)
0
3
Legal provisions are clearly
defined
0
0
0
2
0
1
Disturbance of the
macroeconomic
equilibrium: 0 (not
specified)
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
9 / 20
0.45
Investments: 1 (vague
definition in LHO Art. 13 (3)
No 2 sentence 2)
Structural deficit: 1 (vague
definition in FRG)
Limits: 2 (numerically
definied in FRG)
Strict aim
Strict rule
1
2
1
2
Sum
Index score
4
1
4
27.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.67
0.17
0.50
0.47
HH - from 2020 on
Categories
Description
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
A
Legal base
Constitution Art. 72 (1)
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
Part of Rule
Regulations
Relaxations
"in principle" no borrowing, Borrowing allowed in case
symmetric response to
of natural catastrophes or
business cycle fluctuations extraordinary emergencies,
simultaneously decide
redemption plan (adequat
time span), siuation must
be definied by a two-thirds
parliamentary majority
Constitution Art. 72 (1)
Constitution Art. 72 (1)
4
4
Total Points
Constitution Art. 65 (3) No
3; Stability Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2, StabiRatG
4
Std. Points
Sanctions
A fifth of the Parliament´s
members or the
government can take the
budget to the constitutional
court; Stability Council
monitors enforcement, if a
budgetary emergency
occurs, the Council sets up
and monitors the financial
restructuring programme
4
There are no specific
sanctions (valid for every
bill), the Stability Council
only monitors the
enforcement but cannot
sanction defections or
impose corrective measures
16 / 16
1.00
1 / 4
0.25
1.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.44
0.75
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
4
1
1
1
1
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1
D
E
1.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
Borrowing: 2 (speficied in
HGrG)
5
3
Natural catastrophe: 2 (not Legal provisions are clearly
defined
specified in detail but
general understanding, use
must be justified by twothrids majority)
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
13 / 20
0.65
In principle: 2 (referring to Extraordinary emergencies:
business cycle fluctuations) 2 (term not clear, but use
must be justified by twothirds majority)
Business cycle: 1
("symmetric response" as
vague measurement, LHO
needed)
Strict aim
Strict rule
1
Redemption plan: 1 (time
span not specified)
2
1
1
2
1
2
2
0
1
Sum
Index score
6
2
5
35.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
1.00
0.33
0.63
0.67
HE
Categories
Description
A
Legal base
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
Part of Rule
Regulations
Relaxations
Max. borrowing equal to
Borrowing above
the amount of expenditures investments-clause allowed
for investments
in case of "extraordinary
demands" and in order to
respond to a "disturbance
of the macroeconomic
equilibrium"
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
Constitution Art. 141, LHO
Art. 18 (1)
Constitution Art. 141, LHO
Art. 18 (1)
4
Constitution Art. 141, LHO
Art. 18 (1)
4
Total Points
Constitution Art. 131;
Stability Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2, StabiRatG
4
Std. Points
Sanctions
A tenth of the Parliament´s
members, the government,
the prime minister or one
hundreth of all people
eligible to vote can take the
budget to the constitutional
court; Stability Council
monitors enforcement, if a
budgetary emergency
occurs, the Council sets up
and monitors the financial
restructuring programme
4
There are no specific
sanctions (valid for every
bill), the Stability Council
only monitors the
enforcement but cannot
sanction defections or
impose corrective measures
16 / 16
1.00
1 / 4
0.25
1.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.44
0.75
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
2
0
1
1
0
0.50
0.00
1.00
1.00
0.00
1
D
E
Strict aim
Strict rule
1.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
1
0
1
2
Borrowing: 2 (speficied in
HGrG)
0
3
Legal provisions are clearly
defined
0
0
0
2
0
1
Extraordinary demands: 0
(not specified)
Investments: 1 (vague
Disturbance of the
definition in LHO Art. 13 (3) macroeconomic
No 2 sentence 2)
equilibrium: 0 (not
specified)
2
0
1
0
Sum
Index score
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
6 / 20
4
0
2
26.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.30
0.67
0.00
0.25
0.50
HE - from 2015 on
Categories
Description
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
A
Legal base
Constitution Art. 141
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
Part of Rule
Regulations
Relaxations
"in principle" no borrowing, Borrowing allowed in case
symmetric adaption to
of natural catastrophes or
business cycle
extraordinary emergencies,
developments, control
redemption plan for max. 7
account, additional income years by 2/3 majority
used for debt redemption or
reserves, yearly decreasing
amounts of new net
borrowing until 2020
Constitution Art. 141, Law
implementing Art. 141 of
the constitution
4
Constitution Art. 141, Law
implementing Art. 141 of
the constitution
3
Total Points
Constitution Art. 131;
Stability Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2, StabiRatG
3
Std. Points
Sanctions
A tenth of the Parliament´s
members, the government,
the prime minister or one
hundreth of all people
eligible to vote can take the
budget to the constitutional
court; Stability Council
monitors enforcement, if a
budgetary emergency
occurs, the Council sets up
and monitors the financial
restructuring programme
4
There are no specific
sanctions (valid for every
bill), the Stability Council
only monitors the
enforcement but cannot
sanction defections or
impose corrective measures
14 / 16
0.88
1 / 4
0.25
1 / 4
0 / 1
0.25
0.00
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
4
1
1
1
1
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1
D
E
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
5
6
Borrowing: 2 (speficied in
HGrG)
Natural catastrophe: 2
(outside of the state's
control, use must be
justified by 2/2 majority)
Business cycle: 2
(measurement largely
defined, control account)
Extraordinary emergencies:
2 (outside of the state's
control, but use must be
justified by 2/3 majority)
Control account: 2 (clearly
defined)
Redemption plan: 2 (7
years)
3
Legal provisions are clearly
defined
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
15 / 20
0.75
6
4
5
35
1.00
0.67
0.63
Reduction of new net
borrowing: 2 (numerical
limits)
Strict aim
Strict rule
1
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
0
1
Sum
Index score
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.63
HE - from 2020 on
Categories
Part of Rule
Total Points
Description
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
Regulations
"in principle" no borrowing,
symmetric response to
business cycle fluctuations,
control account, additional
income used for debt
redemption or reserves
Relaxations
Borrowing allowed in case
of natural catastrophes or
extraordinary emergencies,
redemption plan for max. 7
years by 2/3 majority
Sanctions
A tenth of the Parliament´s
members, the government,
the prime minister or one
hundreth of all people
eligible to vote can take the
budget to the constitutional
court; Stability Council
monitors enforcement, if a
budgetary emergency
occurs, the Council sets up
and monitors the financial
restructuring programme
A
Legal base
Constitution Art. 141
Constitution Art. 141, Law
implementing Art. 141 of
the constitution
Constitution Art. 141, Law
implementing Art. 141 of
the constitution
Constitution Art. 131;
Stability Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2, StabiRatG
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
4
4
4
4
There are no specific
sanctions (valid for every
bill), the Stability Council
only monitors the
enforcement but cannot
sanction defections or
impose corrective measures
Std. Points
16 / 16
1.00
1 / 4
0.25
1 / 4
0 / 1
0.25
0.00
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
4
1
1
1
1
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1
D
E
Strict aim
Strict rule
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
5
6
Borrowing: 2 (speficied in
HGrG)
Natural catastrophe: 2
(outside of the state's
control, use must be
justified by 2/2 majority)
Business cycle: 2
(measurement largely
defined, control account)
Extraordinary emergencies:
2 (outside of the state's
control, but use must be
justified by 2/3 majority)
Control account: 2 (clearly
defined)
Redemption plan: 2 (7
years)
2
2
1
3
Legal provisions are clearly
defined
2
2
2
2
0
1
Sum
Index score
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
15 / 20
0.75
6
4
5
37
1.00
0.67
0.63
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.65
NI
Categories
Description
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
A
Legal base
Constitution Art. 71
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
Part of Rule
Regulations
Relaxations
Max. borrowing equal to
Borrowing above
the amount of expenditures investments-clause allowed
for investments, from 2014 in order to respond to a
on numerical decreasing
"disturbance of the
limits for borrowing
macroeconomic
equilibrium" or to a threat
to "natural living
conditions", simultaneously
decide redemption plan
(adequat time span)
Constitution Art. 71
sentence 2, LHO Art.
18a(1) and (2) from 2014
on
4
Constitution Art. 71
sentence 2, LHO Art. 18a
(3)
3
Total Points
Constitution Art. 54
sentence 1 No 2, Stability
Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2, StabiRatG
3
Std. Points
Sanctions
A fifth of the Parliament´s
members or the
government can take the
budget to the constitutional
court; Stability Council
monitors enforcement, if a
budgetary emergency
occurs, the Council sets up
and monitors the financial
restructuring programme
4
There are no specific
sanctions (valid for every
bill), the Stability Council
only monitors the
enforcement but cannot
sanction defections or
impose corrective measures
14 / 16
0.88
1 / 4
0.25
1.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.44
0.75
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
3
0
1
1
1
0.75
0.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1
D
E
1.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
1
1
1
3
Borrowing: 2 (speficied in
HGrG)
2
3
Disturbance of the
Legal provisions are clearly
defined
macroeconomic
equilibrium: 1 (not
specified, but the
disturbance and that
borrowing will help to repel
it must be defined by law)
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
9 / 20
0.45
Investments: 1 (vague
Natural living conditions: 0
definition in LHO Art. 13 (3) (not specified)
No 2 sentence 2)
Limits: 2 (numerically
definied)
Strict aim
Strict rule
1
Redemption plan: 1 (time
span not specified)
2
1
0
1
1
0
2
0
1
Sum
Index score
5
2
2
28.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.83
0.33
0.25
0.55
NI - from 2017 on
Categories
Description
A
Legal base
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
Part of Rule
Regulations
Relaxations
"in principle" no borrowing Borrowing above allowed in
order to respond to a
"disturbance of the
macroeconomic
equilibrium" or to a threat
to "natural living
conditions", simultaneously
decide redemption plan
(adequat time span)
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
Constitution Art. 71; LHO
Art. 18a (1)
LHO Art. 18a (1)
LHO Art. 18a (3)
4
3
Total Points
Constitution Art. 54
sentence 1 No 2, Stability
Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2, StabiRatG
3
Std. Points
Sanctions
A fifth of the Parliament´s
members or the
government can take the
budget to the constitutional
court; Stability Council
monitors enforcement, if a
budgetary emergency
occurs, the Council sets up
and monitors the financial
restructuring programme
4
There are no specific
sanctions (valid for every
bill), the Stability Council
only monitors the
enforcement but cannot
sanction defections or
impose corrective measures
14 / 16
0.88
1 / 4
0.25
1.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.44
0.75
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
3
0
1
1
1
0.75
0.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1
D
E
1.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
3
1
1
1
1
4
Borrowing: 2 (speficied in
HGrG)
In principle: 1 (not
specified, but general
understanding)
3
3
Disturbance of the
Legal provisions are clearly
defined
macroeconomic
equilibrium: 1 (not
specified, but the
disturbance and that
borrowing will help to repel
it must be defined by law)
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
11 / 20
0.55
Natural living conditions: 0
(not specified)
Redemption plan: 1 (time
span not specified)
Strict aim
Strict rule
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
0
1
Sum
Index score
5
2
4
30.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.83
0.33
0.50
0.57
MV
Categories
Description
A
Legal base
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
Part of Rule
Regulations
Relaxations
Max. borrowing equal to
Borrowing above
the amount of expenditures investments-clause allowed
for investments
in order to respond to a
"disturbance of the
macroeconomic
equilibrium"
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
Constitution Art. 65 (2),
LHO Art. 18 (1)
Constitution Art. 65 (2),
LHO Art. 18 (1)
4
Constitution Art. 65 (2),
LHO Art. 18 (1)
4
Total Points
Constitution Art. 53
sentence 1 No 2, Stability
Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2, StabiRatG
4
Std. Points
Sanctions
A third of the Parliament´s
members or the
government can take the
budget to the constitutional
court; Stability Council
monitors enforcement, if a
budgetary emergency
occurs, the Council sets up
and monitors the financial
restructuring programme
4
There are no specific
sanctions (valid for every
bill), the Stability Council
only monitors the
enforcement but cannot
sanction defections or
impose corrective measures
16 / 16
1.00
1 / 4
0.25
1.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.44
0.75
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
1
0
1
0
0
0.25
0.00
1.00
0.00
0.00
1
D
E
Strict aim
Strict rule
1.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
2
Borrowing: 2 (speficied in
HGrG)
Investments: 1 (vague
definition in LHO Art. 13 (3)
No 2 sentence 2)
2
0
1
0
1
3
Disturbance of the
Legal provisions are clearly
defined
macroeconomic
equilibrium: 1 (not
specified, but the
disturbance and that
borrowing will help to repel
it must be defined by law)
1
0
0
2
0
1
Sum
Index score
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
7 / 20
5
0
2
26.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.35
0.83
0.00
0.25
0.46
MV - from 2020 on
Categories
Part of Rule
Total Points
Description
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
Regulations
"in principle" no borrowing,
symmetric adaption to
business cycle fluctuations
Relaxations
Borrowing allowed in order
to respond to natural
catastrophes and
extraordinary emergencies,
simultaneously decide a
redemption plan (adequat
time span)
Sanctions
A third of the Parliament´s
members or the
government can take the
budget to the constitutional
court; Stability Council
monitors enforcement, if a
budgetary emergency
occurs, the Council sets up
and monitors the financial
restructuring programme
A
Legal base
Constitution Art. 65 (2)
Constitution Art. 65 (2)
Constitution Art. 65 (2)
Constitution Art. 53
sentence 1 No 2; Stability
Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2, StabiRatG
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
4
4
4
4
There are no specific
sanctions (valid for every
bill), the Stability Council
only monitors the
enforcement but cannot
sanction defections or
impose corrective measures
Std. Points
16 / 16
1.00
1 / 4
0.25
1.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.44
0.75
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
4
1
1
1
1
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1
D
E
1.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
4
Borrowing: 2 (speficied in
HGrG)
3
3
Natural catastrophe: 2 (not Legal provisions are clearly
specified in detail but
defined
general understanding, use
must be justified)
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
10 / 20
0.50
In principle: 2 (referring to Extraordinary emergencies:
business cycle fluctuations) 1 (not specified, but use
must be justified)
Business cycle: 1
("symmetric response" as
vague measurement, LHO
needed)
Strict aim
Strict rule
1
Redemption plan: 1 (time
span not specified)
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
0
1
Sum
Index score
5
2
4
32.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.83
0.33
0.50
0.64
NW
Categories
Description
A
Legal base
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
Part of Rule
Regulations
Relaxations
Max. borrowing equal to
Borrowing above
the amount of expenditures investments-clause allowed
for investments
in order to respond to a
"disturbance of the
macroeconomic
equilibrium"
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
Total Points
Constitution Art. 83
Constitution Art. 83
LHO Art. 18 (1) sentence 2 Constitution Art. 75
sentence 2, LHO Art. 18 (1) sentence 2, LHO Art. 18 (1)
sentence 1 No 3, Stability
Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2, StabiRatG
4
4
3
Std. Points
Sanctions
A third of the Parliament´s
members or the
government can take the
budget to the constitutional
court; Stability Council
monitors enforcement, if a
budgetary emergency
occurs, the Council sets up
and monitors the financial
restructuring programme
4
There are no specific
sanctions (valid for every
bill), the Stability Council
only monitors the
enforcement but cannot
sanction defections or
impose corrective measures
15 / 16
0.94
1 / 4
0.25
1.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.44
0.75
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
1
0
1
0
0
0.25
0.00
1.00
0.00
0.00
1
D
E
Strict aim
Strict rule
1.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
2
Borrowing: 2 (speficied in
HGrG)
Investments: 1 (vague
definition in LHO Art. 13 (3)
No 2 sentence 2)
2
0
1
0
1
3
Disturbance of the
Legal provisions are clearly
defined
macroeconomic
equilibrium: 1 (not
specified, but the
disturbance and that
borrowing will help to repel
it must be defined by law)
1
0
0
2
0
1
Sum
Index score
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
7 / 20
5
0
2
25.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.35
0.83
0.00
0.25
0.45
RP
Categories
Description
A
Legal base
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
Part of Rule
Regulations
Relaxations
"in principle" no borrowing Borrowing allowed in order
concerning the "structural" to respond to natural
budget, symmetric
catastrophes, extraordinary
adaption to business cycle emergencies, max. fourfluctuations
years-long adaptation to
legal changes targeting the
income or expenditure side
of the budget,
simultaneously decide a
redemption plan
(considering business cycle
fluctuations); deviations
according to the old rule
(disturbance of
macroeconomic
equilibrium) allowed until
2019
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
Constitution Art. 117; Law
on Art. 117 of the
constitution Art. 1 (1); LHO
Art. 18 (1)
Constitution Art. 117; Law
on Art. 117 of the
constitution; LHO Art. 18
(1)
4
Constitution Art. 130 (1);
Stability Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2, StabiRatG
Constitution Art. 117; Law
on Art. 117 of the
constitution; LHO Art. 18
(1)
4
Total Points
4
Std. Points
Sanctions
The Parliament, a
parliamentary group
("Fraktion") or the
government can take the
budget to the constitutional
court; Stability Council
monitors enforcement, if a
budgetary emergency
occurs, the Council sets up
and monitors the financial
restructuring programme
4
There are no specific
sanctions (valid for every
bill), the Stability Council
only monitors the
enforcement but cannot
sanction defections or
impose corrective measures
16 / 16
1.00
1 / 4
0.25
2.25 / 4
0.25 / 1
0.56
0.25
0 / 1
1 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
1.00
1.00
4
1
1
1
1
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1
D
E
2.25
0.25
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
5
Borrowing: 2 (structural
deficit)
4
3
Natural catastrophe: 2 (not Legal provisions are clearly
specified in detail but
defined
general understanding, use
must be justified)
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
13 / 20
0.65
In principle: 2 (referring to Extraordinary emergencies:
business cycle fluctuations) 1 (not specified, but use
must be justified)
Strict aim
Strict rule
1
Structural budget: 2
(clearly definied)
Legal changes: 2 (clearly
formulated)
Business cycle: 2 (definied
by LHO and legal act)
Redemption plan: 1 (time
span not specified)
Control account: 2 (clearly
definied)
Disturbance of the
macroeconomic
equilibrium: 0 (not
specified)
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
0
1
Sum
Index score
5
3
5
36.25
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.83
0.50
0.63
0.69
SL
Categories
Description
A
Legal base
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
Part of Rule
Regulations
Relaxations
Max. borrowing equal to
Borrowing above
the amount of expenditures investments-clause allowed
for investments
in order to respond to a
"disturbance of the
macroeconomic
equilibrium" or to
"extraordinary demands",
redemption plan in case of
"extraordinary demands"
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
KonsHilfG: numerical limits Structural deficit above
for structural deficit until
limits allowed in case of
2019
exceptional situations
(must be approved by the
Stability Council)
Constitution Art. 108 (2),
Constitution Art. 108 (2),
LHO Art. 18 (1), KonsHilfG LHO Art. 18 (1), VV
Art. 2, VV KonsHilfG
KonsHilfG Art. 6
Constitution Art. 105 (1)
sentence 2, KonsHilfG Art.
2, VV KonsHilfG Art. 4
3
D
E
3
Total Points
Financial Support is cut off
if Stability Council
considers limits exceeded
Constitution Art. 97
sentence 1 No 2; Stability
Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2,
StabiRatG, VV KonsHilfG
Art. 8
3
3
Financial support is cut off,
implicit obligation for
corrective measures
3
1.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
3
1
1
1
1
6
Borrowing: 2 (speficied in
HGrG)
Std. Points
Sanctions
A third of the Parliament´s
members or the
government can take the
budget to the constitutional
court; Stability Council
monitors enforcement, if a
budgetary emergency
occurs, the Council sets up
and monitors the financial
restructuring programme
4
5
Disturbance of the
Legal provisions are clearly
defined
macroeconomic
equilibrium: 1 (not
specified, but the
disturbance and that
borrowing will help to repel
it must be defined by law)
Investments: 1 (vague
Extraordinary demands: 1
definition in LHO Art. 13 (3) (not specified, but the
No 2 sentence 2)
disturbance and that
borrowing will help to repel
it must be defined by law)
12 / 16
0.75
3 / 4
0.75
1.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.44
0.75
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
3
0
1
1
1
0.75
0.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
16 / 20
0.80
Exceeded limit: 2
(numerical definition, but:
vulnerable to interpretation
of "exceptional situations")
Structural deficit: 2 (clear
Exceptional situations: 0
definition and method for
(not specified, Stability
calculation in VV KonsHilfG) Council is free to determine
a situation as exceptionnal)
Redemption plan: 1 (time
span not specified)
Strict aim
Strict rule
1
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
2
Sum
Index score
5
4
7
35.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.83
0.67
0.88
0.70
SL - from 2020 on
Categories
Description
A
Legal base
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
Part of Rule
Total Points
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
Regulations
Max. borrowing equal to
the amount of expenditures
for investments
Relaxations
Borrowing above
investments-clause allowed
in order to respond to a
"disturbance of the
macroeconomic
equilibrium" or to
"extraordinary demands",
redemption plan in case of
"extraordinary demands"
Sanctions
A third of the Parliament´s
members or the
government can take the
budget to the constitutional
court; Stability Council
monitors enforcement, if a
budgetary emergency
occurs, the Council sets up
and monitors the financial
restructuring programme
Constitution Art. 105 (1)
sentence 2
Constitution Art. 108 (2),
LHO Art. 18 (1)
Constitution Art. 108 (2),
LHO Art. 18 (1)
Constitution Art. 97
sentence 1 No 2; Stability
Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2, StabiRatG
4
4
4
4
There are no specific
sanctions (valid for every
bill), the Stability Council
only monitors the
enforcement but cannot
sanction defections or
impose corrective measures
Std. Points
16 / 16
1.00
1 / 4
0.25
1.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.44
0.75
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
3
0
1
1
1
0.75
0.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1
D
E
1.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
3
1
1
1
1
2
Borrowing: 2 (speficied in
HGrG)
2
3
Disturbance of the
Legal provisions are clearly
defined
macroeconomic
equilibrium: 1 (not
specified, but the
disturbance and that
borrowing will help to repel
it must be defined by law)
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
8 / 20
0.40
Investments: 1 (vague
Extraordinary demands: 1
definition in LHO Art. 13 (3) (not specified, but the
No 2 sentence 2)
disturbance and that
borrowing will help to repel
it must be defined by law)
Redemption plan: 1 (time
span not specified)
Strict aim
Strict rule
1
2
0
0
1
0
1
2
0
1
Sum
Index score
5
0
3
29.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.83
0.00
0.38
0.57
SN - from 2014 on
Categories
Description
A
Legal base
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
Part of Rule
Regulations
Relaxations
"in principle" no borrowing, Borrowing above allowed in
in case of deviation of 4order to respond to natural
year average of tax income catstrophes or
by 3% borrowing up to
extraordinary emergencies;
simultaneously decide (2/3
99% of 4-year average of
majority) redemption plan
tax income allowed,
for max. 8 years
accordingly additional tax
income for debt
redemption; simultaneously
decide (2/3 majority)
redemption plan for max. 8
years
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
DR: max. nominal credit
market debt stock
Not exceed "permanently" Higher debt stock allowed if
nominal credit market debt tax income decreases by
stock of 2008
3% from one year to
another or in case of
natural catastrophes or
similar severe emergencies
(their impact is of supraregional character);
simultaneously decide
redemption plan for max. 5
years
BBR: constitution Art. 95
(2), LHO Art. 18 (1); DR:
LHO Art. 18 (1)
BBR: constitution Art. 95
(2), (4) and (6), LHO Art.
18 (1); DR: LHO Art. 18
4
BBR: constitution Art. 95
(4), (5) and (6), LHO Art.
18; DR: LHO Art. 18
4
Total Points
Constitution Art. 81 (1) No
2; Stability Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2, StabiRatG
4
Std. Points
Sanctions
A fourth of the
Parliament´s members or
the government can take
the budget to the
constitutional court;
Stability Council monitors
enforcement, if a
budgetary emergency
occurs, the Council sets up
and monitors the financial
restructuring programme
4
There are no specific
sanctions (valid for every
bill), the Stability Council
only monitors the
enforcement but cannot
sanction defections or
impose corrective measures
16 / 16
1.00
1 / 4
0.25
2.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.69
0.75
0 / 1
1 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
1.00
1.00
4
1
1
1
1
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1
D
E
Strict aim
Strict rule
2.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
2
6
Borrowing: 2 (speficied in
HGrG)
2
6
3
Tax income decrease: 2
Legal provisions are clearly
(clear numerical definition) defined
Business cycle adaption: 2
(numerically defined)
Natural catastrophe: 2 (not
specified in detail but
general understanding, 2/3
majority)
Debt stock in 2008: 2
(definititve numerical
value)
Extraordinary emergencies:
2 ("supra-regional
character", out of the
state's control, 2/3
majority)
Redemption plan: 2 (5 and
8 years respectively)
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
0
1
Sum
Index score
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
17 / 20
6
4
7
40.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.85
1.00
0.67
0.88
0.76
ST
Categories
Description
A
Legal base
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
Part of Rule
Regulations
Relaxations
Borrowing allowed in order Higher borrowing allowed in
to respond to business
case of natural
cycle fluctuations,
catastrophes or
simultaneously decide
extraordinary emergencies,
about redemption plan
simultaneously decide
(adequate time span, latest about redemption plan
beginning four years after
(adequate time span, latest
borrowing)
beginning four years after
borrowing)
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
KonsHilfG: numerical limits Structural deficit above
for structural deficit until
limits allowed in case of
2019
exceptional situations
(must be approved by the
Stability Council)
DR: debt stock must
Define yearly (at best
decrease
constant) amounts for
redemption, spend
additional tax income on
redemption
BBR: constitution Art. 93
BBR: LHO Art. 18,
BBR: LHO Art. 18,
(1) sentence 2, LHO Art. 18 KonsHilfG Art. 2, VV
KonsHilfG Art. 2, VV
(1), KonsHilfG Art. 2, VV
KonsHilfG; DR: LHO Art. 18 KonsHilfG; DR: LHO Art. 18
KonsHilfG Art. 4; DR: LHO (4)
(4)
Art. 18 (4)
3
D
E
3
3
Total Points
Financial Support is cut off
if Stability Council
considers limits exceeded
Constitution Art. 75
sentence 1 No 3; Stability
Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2,
StabiRatG, VV KonsHilfG
Art. 8
3
Financial support is cut off,
implicit obligation for
corrective measures
3
1.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
2
6
Borrowing: 2 (structural
deficit)
Std. Points
Sanctions
A fourth of the
Parliament´s members or
the government can take
the budget to the
constitutional court;
Stability Council monitors
enforcement, if a budgetary
emergency occurs, the
Council sets up and
monitors the financial
restructuring programme
5
5
Natural catastrophe: 2 (not Legal provisions are clearly
specified in detail but
defined
general understanding, use
must be justified)
Business cycle: 2
(measurement not
specified, but use must be
justified, LHO needed)
Extraordinary emergencies: Exceeded limit: 2
1 (not specified, but use
(numerical definition, but:
must be justified)
vulnerable to interpretation
of "exceptional situations")
Redemption plan: 2 (time
span not specified)
Redemption plan: 1
(adequate time span)
12 / 16
0.75
3 / 4
0.75
1.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.44
0.75
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
4
1
1
1
1
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
18 / 20
0.90
Exceptional situations: 0
Structural deficit: 2 (clear
definition and method for
(not specified, Stability
calculation in VV KonsHilfG) Council is free to determine
a situation as exceptionnal)
Strict aim
Strict rule
Debt stock decrease: 2 (use
of additional tax income
specified)
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
Sum
Index score
5
5
8
38.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.83
0.83
1.00
0.77
ST - from 2020 on
Categories
Description
Part of Rule
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
Regulations
Borrowing allowed in order
to respond to business
cycle fluctuations,
simultaneously decide
about redemption plan
(adequate time span, latest
beginning four years after
borrowing)
Total Points
Relaxations
Higher borrowing allowed in
case of natural
catastrophes or
extraordinary emergencies,
simultaneously decide
about redemption plan
(adequate time span, latest
beginning four years after
borrowing)
Std. Points
Sanctions
A fourth of the
Parliament´s members or
the government can take
the budget to the
constitutional court;
Stability Council monitors
enforcement, if a budgetary
emergency occurs, the
Council sets up and
monitors the financial
restructuring programme
DR: debt stock must
decrease
A
Legal base
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
Define yearly (at best
constant) amounts for
redemption, spend
additional tax income on
redemption
BBR: constitution Art. 93
BBR: LHO Art. 18; DR: LHO BBR: LHO Art. 18; DR: LHO Constitution Art. 75
(1) sentence 2, LHO Art. 18 Art. 18 (4)
Art. 18 (4)
sentence 1 No 3; Stability
(1); DR: LHO Art. 18 (4)
Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2, StabiRatG
3
3
3
4
There are no specific
sanctions (valid for every
bill), the Stability Council
only monitors the
enforcement but cannot
sanction defections or
impose corrective measures
13 / 16
0.81
1 / 4
0.25
1.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.44
0.75
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
4
1
1
1
1
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1
D
E
Strict aim
Strict rule
1.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
2
5
Borrowing: 2 (structural
deficit)
3
4
Natural catastrophe: 2 (not Legal provisions are clearly
specified in detail but
defined
general understanding, use
must be justified)
Business cycle: 2
(measurement not
specified, but use must be
justified, LHO needed)
Extraordinary emergencies:
1 (not specified, but use
must be justified)
Redemption plan: 2 (time
span not specified)
Redemption plan: 1
(adequate time span)
Debt stock decrease: 2 (use
of additional tax income
specified)
2
1
2
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
Sum
Index score
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
14 / 20
5
3
6
33.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.70
0.83
0.50
0.75
0.64
SH
Categories
Description
A
Legal base
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
D
E
Part of Rule
Regulations
Relaxations
Borrowing allowed in order Higher borrowing allowed in
to respond to business
case of natural
cycle fluctuations
catastrophes or
extraordinary emergencies
(two-thirds majority),
simultaneously decide
redemption plan (adequate
time span)
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
Constitution Art. 53 (1),
KonsHilfG Art. 2, VV
KonsHilfG Art. 4
Total Points
KonsHilfG: numerical limits Structural deficit above
for structural deficit until
limits allowed in case of
2019
exceptional situations
(must be approved by the
Stability Council)
Constitution Art. 53 (2),
Constitution Art. 53 (3) and Constitution Art. 44 (2) No
KonsHilfG Art. 2, VV
(5), VV KonsHilfG Art. 6
2, Stability Council: Federal
KonsHilfG
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2,
StabiRatG, VV KonsHilfG
Art. 8
4
3
4
3
Financial support is cut off,
implicit obligation for
corrective measures
3
1.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
6
Borrowing: 2 (specified by
HGrG)
4
Natural catastrophe: 2 (not Legal provisions clearly
specified in detail but
defined
general understanding, use
must be justified )
Business cycle: 1 (refers to Extraordinary emergencies:
structural deficit, adaption 1 (not specified, but 2/3
not specified, but use must majority)
be justified)
Std. Points
Sanctions
A third of the Parliament´s
members, two
parliamentary groups or
the government can take
the budget to the
constitutional court;
Stability Council monitors
enforcement, if a budgetary
emergency occurs, the
Council sets up and
monitors the financial
restructuring programme,
Financial Support is cut off
if Stability Council
considers limits exceeded
5
14 / 16
0.88
3 / 4
0.75
1.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.44
0.75
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
4
1
1
1
1
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
16 / 20
0.80
Exceeded limit: 2
(numerical definition, but:
vulnerable to interpretation
of "exceptional situations")
Structural deficit: 2 (clear
Redemption plan: 2 (time
definition and method for
span not specified)
calculation in VV KonsHilfG)
Exceptional situations: 0
(not specified, Stability
Council is free to determine
a situation as exceptionnal)
Strict aim
Strict rule
1
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
2
Sum
Index score
5
4
7
38.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.83
0.67
0.88
0.77
SH - from 2020 on
Categories
Part of Rule
Total Points
Description
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
Regulations
Borrowing allowed in order
to respond to business
cycle fluctuations
Relaxations
Higher borrowing allowed in
case of natural
catastrophes or
extraordinary emergencies
(two-thirds majority),
simultaneously decide
redemption plan (adequate
time span)
A
Legal base
Constitution Art. 53 (1)
Constitution Art. 53 (2)
Constitution Art. 53 (3) and Constitution Art. 44 (2) No
(5)
2, Stability Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2, StabiRatG
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
4
4
4
Std. Points
Sanctions
A third of the Parliament´s
members, two
parliamentary groups or
the government can take
the budget to the
constitutional court;
Stability Council monitors
enforcement, if a budgetary
emergency occurs, the
Council sets up and
monitors the financial
restructuring programme,
Financial Support is cut off
if Stability Council
considers limits exceeded
4
There are no specific
sanctions (valid for every
bill), the Stability Council
only monitors the
enforcement but cannot
sanction defections or
impose corrective measures
16 / 16
1.00
1 / 4
0.25
1.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.44
0.75
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
4
1
1
1
1
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1
D
E
1.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
4
Borrowing: 2 (specified by
HGrG)
4
Natural catastrophe: 2 (not Legal provisions clearly
specified in detail but
defined
general understanding, use
must be justified )
3
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
12 / 20
0.60
Business cycle: 0 (adaption Extraordinary emergencies:
not specified)
2 (not specified, but 2/3
majority)
Redemption plan: 1
(adequate time span)
Strict aim
Strict rule
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
2
0
1
Sum
Index score
5
3
4
34.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
0.83
0.50
0.50
0.66
TH
Categories
Description
A
Legal base
B
Enforcement
mechanisms
C
Coverage
Official budget:
- shareholdings
- debt claims by public
authorities
- granted loans
- reserves
Public enterprises
Special funds
Financial support for
local authorities
Flexibility
Business cycle
Economic shocks
Other emergencies
Compensational
mechanism
Content
Clear definitions
Part of Rule
Regulations
Relaxations
Borrowing allowed if total
Higher borrowing allowed in
income is less than the
case of natural
average of the last three
catastrophes or
years, simultaneously
extraordinary emergencies,
decide redemtpion plan (5 simultaneously decide
years), additional income
redemtpion plan (5 years)
used i.a. for debt
redemption
Basic rule
BBR: balanced budget
ER: limited expenditures for Max. expenditures for
personnel
personnel at 40% of total
expenditures
BBR: constitution Art. 98
LHO Art. 18 (2) and (3),
(1) sentence 3, LHO Art. 18 Budget Law Art. 3 (2)
(1), ER: constitution Art. 98
(3)
3
LHO Art. 18 (2) and (3)
3
Total Points
Std. Points
Sanctions
A fifth of the Parliament´s
members, a parliamentary
group or the government
can take the budget to the
constitutional court;
Stability Council monitors
enforcement, if a budgetary
emergency occurs, the
Council sets up and
monitors the financial
restructuring programme
Constitution Art. 80 (1) No
4; Stability Council: Federal
constitution Art. 109a
sentence 1 No 2,
StabiRatG, VV KonsHilfG
Art. 8
3
4
There are no specific
sanctions (valid for every
bill), the Stability Council
only monitors the
enforcement but cannot
sanction defections or
impose corrective measures
13 / 16
0.81
1 / 4
0.25
1.75 / 4
0.75 / 1
0.44
0.75
0 / 1
0 / 1
1 / 1
0.00
0.00
1.00
4
1
1
1
1
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1
D
E
1.75
0.75
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
2
6
Borrowing: 2 (speficied in
HGrG)
5
Natural catastrophe: 2 (not Legal provisions clearly
specified in detail but
defined
general understanding, use
must be justified)
Total income: 2 (definitive
numerical value)
Extraordinary emergencies:
1 (not specified, but use
must be justified)
Redemption plan: 2 (time
span not specified)
Redemption plan: 2 (5
years)
3
/
/
/
/
/
4
1
1
1
1
16 / 20
0.80
Expenditures for personnel:
2 (numerical value)
Income: 1 (not sure if LHO
Art. 13 (4) No 2 applies)
Strict aim
Strict rule
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
0
1
Sum
Index score
6
4
6
35.75
/
/
/
/
6
6
8
48
1.00
0.67
0.75
0.66