14  According to opinion polls, the public is far more willing to accept free trade policies if they are accompanied by assistance for workers and firms that may be damaged by trade (Kull, Ramsay, Subias, and Lewis, 2004). 8  BIS Review 19/2004
However, to ensure smooth participation in ERM II, major policy adjustments – for example with regard to price liberalization and fiscal policy – would need to be undertaken before entering the mechanism. And an agreement among all parties involved in ERM II must be achieved on the central rate and the width of the fluctuation band.