ECB Governing Council member Olli Rehn told Reuters today that the “central scenario is not a recession,” despite the “soft patch in the economy.” Though, he reiterated the unified message that an ample degree of stimulus is still appropriate for now. Policymakers are going to wait for the new economic forecasts, to be released next week, before debating on adjusting monetary policies.
Regarding the policy framework, Rehn said the definite of price stability should be loosened. Currently ECB sees inflation target as being close to 2%, below 2%. But Rehn said “My view is that 2% is not a ceiling and inflation can deviate in both directions.”
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini called for a new role for ECB to “guarantee” government debt in order to keep bond yields low. Rehn bluntly responded saying it goes against the principal of modern central banking that we are forbidden to do monetary financing.”
