A limit on the “structural deficit” means that a country can run a deficit above the limit to the extent – and only to the extent – that the gap between revenue and spending is cyclical (that is, its economy is operating below potential due to temporary negative shocks). In other words, the target is cyclically adjusted.
对“结构性赤字”的限制意味着成员国可以——也只可以——在收入与支出之间的差距是周期性的范围内最大程度地存在财政赤字，所谓周期性是指一国经济在暂时的负面冲击下在低于其潜能的水平上运行。换句话说，所设立目标是可以随周期性调整的。在2013年结束之前，每个成员国都必须将预算平衡内容添加到其法律体系中——最好是加入到本国宪法体系之中。