Duisenberg admits euro increased prices
One year on from the introduction of the euro, the European Central Bank (ECB) President Wim Duisenberg admits for the first time that the physical introduction of the euro has led to an increase in inflation.
Mr Duisenberg’s statement in an interview to the Dutch television channel RTL-Z and in the Belgian newspaper 'de Financieel-Economische Tijd’, contradicts previous ECB’s statements and that of EU Finance Ministers – that the euro introduction left no impact on inflation.
Join EUobserver today
Become an expert on Europe
Get instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.
Choose your plan
... or subscribe as a group
Don't miss out on
Our exclusive news stories and investigations. Influential. Investigative. Independent.
Why join?
Watch our founder Lisbeth Kirk explain the reasons in this 30-second video.
Already a member?
In November, the prices in the eurozone have increased by 0,1% on a monthly base and 2,2% on an annual base. Although the ECB President did not say how much the prices increased in real terms, the Belgian Central Bank had estimated that in Belgium, the euro introduction led to an increase in consumer prices of 0,1%.
Even Commission President Romano Prodi said that the euro led to an unjustifiable increase in prices, saying that in Italy, the euro effect contributed to an increase of 0,5% in prices.
"We had to be more honest," said Mr Duisenberg, stating at the same time that "we had to show the ability to explain that the effect on prices would have been limited anyhow."
Duisenberg also admitted that the euro is one of the reasons the eurozone inflation remains above the 2 per cent target.
