Discussion paper
DP2768 Exchange Rate Systems and Macroeconomic Stability
We examine macroeconomic stability and the properties of the international transmission of business cycles under three exchange rate systems: a flexible, a unilateral peg and a single currency. The subjects of study are Germany and France. EMU increases output and decreases inflation variability in Germany but it has the opposite effect in France. It induces a strong negative international transmission of country specific supply shocks and amplifies the role of German supply shocks. These two facts may complicate ECB policy-making.
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