ISEG hosts the presentation of International Monetary Fund Fiscal Monitor - April 2025 on 30 April, from 14.00 to 15.00, in the Novo Banco Room (Quelhas, 4th Floor).
The presentation will focus on the chapter of the report addressing "Public Sentiment Matters: The Essence of Successful Energy Subsidies and Pension Reforms" , the abstract of which can be found below, and will be given by speakers:
- Emine Hanedar - Senior Economist, IMF. With over 17 years of experience in macro-fiscal policy, including fiscal adjustment, debt sustainability, tax policy and energy subsidy reform. Before the IMF, she was an advisor to the Dutch Minister of Finance for seven years;
- Ana Sofia Pessoa - Economist, IMF. She has worked on issues related to Latin America, the Caribbean, Niger and Panama. She has a PhD from the University of Bonn and her research focuses on fiscal policy.
Free admission, subject to availability.
Abstract
The chapter explores strategies to increase public support for reforms in spending programmes, such as energy subsidies and public pensions. Reforms aim to reduce budget vulnerabilities, promote efficiency and inclusive growth, and are often challenged by social resistance. Based on language models applied to print media, the chapter proposes an innovative metric for the acceptability of reforms in real time. The results suggest that gradual measures, implemented in contexts of higher growth, with strategic communication and redistributive policies, are better received.
