Conferral versus Constitutionalisation - The EU macroeconomic framework and its implications for the EU economic constitution

Abstract: The purpose of the thesis is to discern the pattern of federalism in EU macroeconomic governance and seek explanations for the strengthening of the framework in this regard. The thesis operates in a constitutional perspective, adopting a multidimensional approach in order to fulfil the purpose. These approaches have in common that they regard issues of legal power. By tackling the research questions from an EU law in context outlook, five critical axes are identified in explicating the nature of the Union’s competence in macroeconomic governance. More precisely, within these dimensions, the nature of the exercise of legal power, its constitutionality and its implications for the allocation of power between the Union and the Member States are explicated. This thematized presentation is sought to make effective the unearthing of a pattern of federalism. Lastly follows a discussion on the direction of the EU institutional practices in macroeconomic governance and the underlying causes for this development. In addition to drawing on the conclusions of the thesis, this discussion will also feature thoughts on the recent battle between the Commission and the Italian government as regards the latter’s national budget.