Lusíada. Economia & Empresa. ISSN 1645-6750. S. 2, n. 38 (2025).; The EU’s 2024 fiscal governance reform is a step forward, but it misses an opportunity to empower National Fiscal Councils (NFCs). Stronger NFCs could enhance fiscal discipline, accountability, and public engagement. NFCs with increased independence, funding, and authority can improve the quality of fiscal forecasts, challenge unsustainable polic...