Edin Mujagic

The governing council of the European Central Bank (ECB) lowered interest rates again in October. The bank expects annual inflation in 2026 to reach 1.9 percent, which would align with the ECB’s target of 2 percent annual price increases.

Naturally, the interest rate decision and everything surrounding it took centre stage earlier this month when the European Central Bank (ECB) board met in Frankfurt. And of course, questions during the press conference focused on what we can expect in the coming quarters. Like many others, I was tuned in, eager for insights.

It might seem like Europe has its financial house in better order than the United States. But hold on a moment — this might just be an optical illusion!

The ECB decision to cut interest rates in June was not only perplexing but also premature, writes ECB-watcher Edin Mujagic.

Data-dependent, that was perhaps the word we heard most often from the president of the European Central Bank (ECB) in recent months.

Imagine standing in the Dutch polder, gazing at a sky illuminated by the ethereal northern lights. It’s a rare event, almost as rare as the European Central Bank (ECB) adjusting interest rates before the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed). Yet, this unusual monetary phenomenon is set to occur when the ECB convenes in June to discuss interest rates.

I devour every speech and interview given by ECB board members, relishing each word. Yet, despite my enthusiasm, Christine Lagarde’s turns at the podium often leave me cold. Her discussions frequently veer away from monetary policy, straying into territories like climate change and other non-financial realms, seldom touching on the critical issue of money growth—a topic history deems crucial.

As the last vestiges of winter’s chill give way to the vibrant blooms of spring, the financial community turns its gaze to Frankfurt for the annual “ECB and Its Watchers” conference.

The 2024 edition unfolded under the brilliant skies of Europe’s financial nexus, courtesy of Volker Wieland and the Institute for Monetary and Financial Policy. This year marked the 24th instance of Wieland orchestrating this esteemed gathering, which has become a cornerstone event for Europe’s monetary policymakers.

In the pursuit of an inclusive and engaging workplace, the European Central Bank (ECB) emphasises respect, talent development, and diversity, as per its official website. However, recent remarks from ECB board member Frank Elderson and President Christine Lagarde have sparked concerns and raised questions about the bank’s commitment to diversity of opinion.

What an extraordinary month the first month of this year proved to be for the European Central Bank (ECB), indeed! To begin, this month marked the 25th anniversary of the euro’s inception. To commemorate this milestone, major newspapers across eurozone countries published an article by ECB President Christine Lagarde, among others, just before the year-end.