About: Monetary policy

ECB’s Knot says low rate policy risks becoming counterproductive

Interest rates in the eurozone could remain historically low for years, but the European Central Bank's (ECB) ultra-loose monetary policy risks becoming counterproductive, ECB governing council member Klaas Knot said in an interview published on Monday (23 December).

EU grandees send Draghi to ‘euro pantheon’

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi chairs his last governing council on 24 October, before Christine Lagarde takes over on 1 November. EURACTIV contacted eight politicians, decision-makers and analysts from different countries to review Draghi's eight-year mandate at the ECB.

ECB ponders further monetary stimulus to counter trade, Brexit risks

The European Central Bank decided on Thursday (6 June) to keep the low interest rates unchanged at least until mid-2020, and confirmed that it is considering further monetary stimulus, including further rate cuts and restarting the asset purchasing programme, to counter the trade tensions and Brexit uncertainty.

EU top court rules in favor of Draghi’s bond-buying programme

The European Central Bank (ECB) won a landmark case on Tuesday (11 December) as the European Court of Justice confirmed that the national bond-buying policy was in accordance with EU law, in response to concerns raised in Germany. 

Course unchanged for ECB as growth worries bubble under

The European Central Bank seems certain to keep policy unchanged on Thursday (25 October) but likely to acknowledge the growth outlook is deteriorating, even if not yet enough to derail a carefully crafted retreat from stimulus.

Top EU judge backs ECB national bonds purchase policy

The European Central Bank's bond-buying programme does not exceed its mandate and is in accordance with EU law, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) advocate general said on Thursday (4 October), in response to complaints raised in Germany.

De Guindos champions pragmatism at the ECB’s helm

Designated ECB vice-president, Spain’s minister of Economy Luis de Guindos, said on Tuesday (20 February) that the existing expansionary monetary stance should be for “extraordinary times”, as he described the European recovery as solid.

Jens Weidmann – the anti-Draghi?

Next year, there will be a change at the helm of the European Central Bank (ECB). Speculation about Mario Draghi’s successor is in full swing. One controversial name is appearing over and over again: Jens Weidmann, the President of the Deutsche Bank. EURACTIV Germany reports.

In 2018, expect the euro area economy to put on the brakes – but not for the reason you may think

The euro area economy has at last started to begin recovering convincingly from the past decade’s two recessions. But two big factors will moderate growth in 2018, writes Ilaria Maselli, citing the ageing workforce in Germany as being of particular concern.

ECB prolongs monetary stimulus at smaller amount

The ECB decided on Thursday to start reducing the monetary stimulus amid the improved economic situation in the eurozone, but decided to extend the asset purchase programme until September 2018.

HSBC economist: Europe’s south can live with a strong euro

HSBC Germany’s chief economist still sees a bright future for the euro and insists that the heavily-indebted countries of southern Europe should not be put off by the resurgent single currency, in an interview with EURACTIV’s partner WirtschaftsWoche.

ECB unconvinced by inflation increase, monetary policy unchanged

European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi yesterday (19 January) announced the institution’s monetary policy would remain unchanged and asked for more patience as the economic recovery continues. EURACTIV Spain reports.

‘Finnish UKIP’s’ referendum bid fails to find enough support

A petition to hold a referendum on whether Finland should leave the European Union failed to attract enough signatures by yesterday’s (21 December) deadline to move the proposal to parliament.

Bundesbank chief: Don’t politicise monetary policy

The European Central Bank must stick to its price stability mandate and not be swayed by politics, Germany's top central banker said Friday (16 December), warning against extending loose monetary policy for too long.

Business as usual for Draghi and the ECB

The European Central Bank (ECB) is to stick with its policy of record-low interest rates and bond purchasing scheme, as head of the bank Mario Draghi continues to try and reach the bank's inflation targets. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Bundesbank chief: Brexit is ‘political crisis’

The UK's decision to leave is being felt on the other side of the Channel; the German economy has been hit by the result as well, the president of Germany's central bank told EURACTIV's partner WirtschaftsWoche.

German MEP: ‘Governments blame ECB to cover own political failures’

The European Central Bank's (ECB) controversial policy of ultra-low interest rates continues to draw criticism and German politicians in particular have demanded its president, Mario Draghi, bring them to an end. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Germany’s AfD now stresses financial credentials and TTIP opposition

TTIP, taxes, monetary policy: After the three state elections, the Alternative for Germany party (AfD) is trying to get serious on financial issues. However, business leaders see their election success as a threat to Germany's reputation. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Xavier Timbeau: ‘The Juncker Plan is not working’

The independent Annual Growth Survey group (iAGS) highlights the need for investment, in order to secure Europe's economic recovery. French economist Xavier Timbeau says that Juncker Plan has not delivered.

Completing the European Monetary Union

In order to support Europe's position in the world, concrete initiatives must be undertaken that strengthen the European Monetary Union (EMU), writes Joost van Iersel.

A European lost decade?

Europe's economic woes resemble Japan’s situation in the 1990s, which led to a 'lost decade' of economic stagnation and deflation from which the country is still working to recover. Michael Heise asks whether Europe will suffer a similar fate.

Schäuble: Central banks should help prevent asset bubbles

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble called on central banks to take into account price distortions that monetary policy could have on markets and help prevent asset bubbles, in an interview published on Monday.

ECB voting rights ‘rotation’ raises fears in Germany

Germany's Bundesbank may have to forego voting rights in the Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) every five months after Lithuania joins the euro zone, sparking warnings of "dangers for Germany” among conservatives. EURACTIV Germany reports.

German minister warns of ‘fascist’ National Front

Wolfgang Schäuble expressed his concern over election results in France. One fourth of French voters opted for a "fascist and extremist" party, he said on Tuesday, also calling for stricter observation of eurozone budgetary policies. EURACTIV Germany reports.