The Evolution of the ECB's Accountability Practices During the Crisis
Economic Bulletin Articles, European Central Bank, vol. 5
26 Pages Posted: 24 Apr 2019
Date Written: August 9, 2018
Abstract
This article examines the evolution of the ECB’s accountability practices during the financial crisis. After describing the challenges stemming from the crisis and changes resulting from the conferral of new supervisory tasks on the ECB, it provides evidence on how the strengthening of the ECB’s accountability has taken shape in the context of its relationship with the European Parliament in line with the latter’s key role as provided for in the Treaties. The ECB and the European Parliament, building on the accountability framework enshrined in primary law, have increased the frequency of their interactions, made innovations regarding the format and sharpened the focus of their exchanges, allowing increased scrutiny of the ECB’s policies. This has provided the ECB with more opportunities to explain its decisions and demonstrate that it is acting in accordance with its democratic mandate, which is a fundamental pillar of its legitimacy.
Keywords: Central Bank Accountability, Central Banks, European Central Bank, European Parliament
JEL Classification: E52, E58
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
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