Treaty provisions designed to prevent individual EMU member countries from reaching irresponsibly high levels of public indebtedness that could lead to inflationary pressures across the euro area (Article 104c). It sets a benchmark of 3% of GDP for a Member State's annual deficit and 60% of GDP for total outstanding government debt. The Commission monitors budgetary positions on the basis of data submitted by Member States twice a year (before 1 March and 1 September).