What economic changes are needed in Spain?
(I) An efficient and sustainable public sector

In collaboration with:

Objectives

The crisis has called into question the functioning of a great part of our economic system and many of its institutions, from a financial sustainability perspective, as well as in terms of the efficiency with which functions are performed and their results. Without doubt, the public sector is one of the most questioned at present in all these senses and its performance is also discussed in terms of equity. After a period of sharp drops in tax revenues that has accumulated deficits leading to a record level of debt in Spain, the adjustments have forced a downwards revision of many citizens expectations regarding public services, including basic ones such as health or education.

Debates on the functioning of the public sector and its reforms tend to be accompanied by a strong ideological load that makes it more difficult, but no less necessary, to carry out a rigorous analysis of the problems. Avoiding simplistic answers, considering issues from a wide perspective and taking into account its complexity, require the use of objective data and well-informed opinions.

The purpose of this seminar is to contribute to the analysis of these characteristics, based on research results and publications, by bringing together specialists of the public sector to discuss the following issues:

• Is the size of the Spanish public sector accurate and sustainable, from a comparative perspective?
• Which part of its problems is a result of its decentralized structure?
• Do serious financial threats exist due to the evolution of their main expenses?
• What fiscal reform is needed to improve the financial capacity of the public sector and its contribution to growth?
• How can a tax reform contribute to the improvement of the distribution of tax burdens, the fight against fraud and regaining trust in the public sector?

The seminar, the first of a series of activities of the BBVA Foundation Economic Research Program dedicated to analyzing the economic changes that Spain needs, is aimed at economists, public agents and Public Administration professionals, Social Science teachers and students, interested public and the media.

The speakers are specialists in this field, accredited by their academic careers and publications on the subject. Their participation will be structured in two panels. The first will answer questions a), b) and c), while the second will consider questions d) and e).

Programme

9:15–9:30 Apertura y presentación

Esteban Morcillo, Rector Magnífico de la Universitat de València

9:30–11:30 Primer Panel. Tamaño, estructura y sostenibilidad financiera del sector público

Moderador: Joaquín Maudos, Universitat de València, Ivie y CUNEF

“Un panorama de la situación del sector público español y sus retos”
Francisco Pérez, Universitat de València e Ivie

“La dimensión territorial de la Hacienda Pública Española: las reformas urgentes”
Santiago Lago, Universidade de Vigo

“Sostenibilidad, eficiencia y suficiencia de las pensiones en España”
José Antonio Herce, Universidad Complutense de Madrid y AFI

11:30–12:00 Pausa – café

12:00–14:00 Segundo Panel. Reforma fiscal: aspectos financieros y distribución de la carga tributaria

Moderador: Javier Quesada, Universitat de València e Ivie

“Objetivos y diseños fiscales para la economía española”
Emilio Albi, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

“Informe de la Comisión de expertos para la reforma del sistema tributario español”
Pablo Hernández de Cos, Banco de España

“Reforma Sistema Fiscal: oportunidad y diseño”
Alejandro Esteller-Moré, Universitat de Barcelona e IEB

14:00–14:15 Clausura

Juan Carlos Moragues, Hble. Conseller de Hacienda y Administración Pública

Coordinator

Francisco Pérez, Universitat de València e Ivie

Participants

Emilio Albi, Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Alejandro Esteller-Moré, Universitat de Barcelona e IEB
José Antonio Herce, Universidad Complutense de Madrid y AFI
Pablo Hernández de Cos, Banco de España
Santiago Lago, Universidade de Vigo
Joaquín Maudos, Universitat de València, Ivie y CUNEF
Francisco Pérez, Universitat de València e Ivie
Javier Quesada, Universitat de València e Ivie

Venue

Fundación Universidad-Empresa, Adeit
Plaza Virgen de la Paz, 3
46001 Valencia