Why was Maastricht controversial?

Maastricht was controversial because for many politicians in Germany, the French proposals for an economic government were a taboo. The French side made it clear that central bank independence should only be realized within a strong political framework at the EU level. The debate revolved primarily around the strength of the implementation mechanisms and the use of sanctions. Thirty years on, it turns out that the Maastricht concept of stability was too narrow for monetary union. The fiscal framework itself – particularly its deficit and debt targets – has proven to be of limited functionality.