Barroso: EU austerity has ‘reached its limits’

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on 22 April 2013 indicated that the EU's budget-slashing response to the economic crisis has run its course.

Speaking in Brussels at a meeting of European think tanks, Barroso commented that "while I think this policy [austerity] is fundamentally right, I think it has reached its limits."

Barroso's remarks were a further sign that the European Commission was ready to give the likes of France, Spain and Italy more time to force through unpopular economic reforms to reduce their budget deficits.

The remarks also set out a renewed debate calls from various stakeholders across Europe for a relaxation of the austerity mantra as espoused by Germany. Related hyperlinks reflect aspects of this debate.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: No to EUsterity http://www.europeansources.info/record/charlemagne-no-to-eusterity/

EurActiv, 23.04.13: EU's Barroso, Rehn signal shift in austerity policies http://www.euractiv.com/priorities/eus-barroso-rehn-signal-shift-au-news-519281

Spiegel Online International, 23.04.13: Time for Growth: Austerity Has 'Reached its Limits,' Barroso Says http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/barroso-says-austerity-in-europe-has-reached-its-limits-a-896019.html

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/13/368: Austerity and growth debate: What President Barroso actually said at the Brussels Think Tank Dialogue (22 April 2013) http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-368_en.pdf

Blog: Public Service Europe, 23.04.13: Austerity has 'reached its limits' says Barroso http://www.publicserviceeurope.com/article/3369/austerity-has-reached-its-limits-says-barroso

Spiegel Online International, 24.04.13: EU Austerity Dispute: How Barroso Let His Opinion Slip (commentary feature) http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/controversy-simmers-over-eu-austerity-and-growth-remarks-by-barroso-a-896213.html

Süddeutsche Zeitung, 24.04.13: Austerity absurdity? (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/3717001-austerity-absurdity

Blog: Centre for European Reform, 25.04.13: European austerity: Turn or TINA? http://centreforeuropeanreform.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/european-austerity-turn-or-tina.html

EUObserver, 26.04.13: MEPs slam Rehn over economic policy http://euobserver.com/economic/119952

Deutsche Welle, 25.04.13: Controversy over EU austerity policy grows http://www.dw.de/controversy-over-eu-austerity-policy-grows/a-16771170

EUObserver, 06.05.13: Barroso: trust Merkel, she knows what she's doing http://euobserver.com/economic/120040

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