The Eurogroup, Power and Accountability

Abstract

This article considers the role of the Eurogroup in EU decision‐making, a topic that is under‐theorised, more espe-cially given its importance in the overall EU schema. The Eurogroup's power has grown very considerably, largelybecause of the enhanced role that it has been accorded as a result of the financial crisis, with the result that itspower no longer accords with the Treaty provisions that specify its function. The article sets out the Treaty foun-dations of the Eurogroup, examines its role in EU decision‐making, the rationale for its increased power, and theextent to which it is politically and legally accountable.