ECB’s Panetta: Increase in European inflation is temporary, no need to act

The European Central Bank (ECB) doesn’t need to intervene in order to tighten the monetary policy now, as inflation is driven by temporary factors, the central bank’s Executive Board member Fabio Panetta said over the weekend.

Key quotes

“In some countries the increase in prices has generated angst.”

“The central bank is not intervening because if it did, it would create more damage than benefit. It’s like an illness, not all medicines are good for all illnesses.”

Current inflation is “bad,” but also temporary -- driven by supply chain snags and energy price increases, which “are bound to be overcome.”

“If inflation looked like becoming more permanent, he would be among the first in favor of ECB intervention.”