ECB`s Praet warns of deflationary pressures in euro zone
Baku, November 25 (AZERTAC). The European Central Bank's chief economist said on Friday the euro zone faces deflationary pressures, and the bank`s president stressed that interest rates must remain low "because the economy is weak".
With euro zone inflation running at 0.7 percent, well below its target of just under 2 percent, a raft of ECB speakers this week have said it is open to taking fresh measures to support the economy.
Vice-President Vitor Constancio said on Tuesday “everything is possible” and both he and economics chief Peter Praet have said asset buying - or quantitative easing (QE) - is an option after years in which the bank's policymakers have ruled it out.
But the more conservative minority at the bank, who voted against this month's surprise cut in interest rates and are led by its German members, still seem dead set against any such move.
President Mario Draghi has taken a measured line, on Thursday pouring cold water on the idea the bank was actively considering moving deposit rates into negative territory and on Friday stressing the need to keep interest rates low.
“I understand the concerns about a prolonged period of low returns on savings. But it is important to understand that interest rates are low because the economy is weak,” Draghi told the European Banking Congress in Frankfurt.
“If we raised rates, we would further depress the economy, people would lose their jobs, and then their savings would be lower for longer.”
Praet, who sits on the ECB`s six-strong Executive Board, said the financial crisis had saddled the euro zone with a debt burden unique in Europe`s post-war history because it has created a more deflationary environment.
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