Sound fiscal policies and a sustainable budget are not ends in themselves, but provide the necessary flexibility to eventually create growth and employment. Liberals know that this actually means to build up budgetary resources during a favorable economic environment so that there is not the need to overspend in times like these. The notion is that of fixing your roof while the sun is shining, not when it has already started to rain.

How much more budgetary flexibility would Eurozone governments have had if they had applied proper fiscal policies in better times?

Should it be an option now to resort to the worst fiscal policy scenarios and introduce more "stimulus packages" that don't lead to a sustainable economic recovery? Do we really need to bail out more companies in failing industries that only will prolong their economic ailing, will further burden the budget of citizens and prevent the necessary investment in future technologies?

A strong liberal group in the next European Parliament will assure a sound management of budgetary resources and remind the other political groups not to float with the opportunistic tide.