BCE majorează dobânda la 2,5%, pe fondul șocului energetic

The European Central Bank raised its key interest rate by 0.25 percentage points to 2.5% due to rising inflation driven by energy prices and geopolitical tensions. This marks the second increase in three months and the first in three years. Inflation in the eurozone reached 3.3% in August, primarily due to energy costs, which surged to 14.3%. The ECB anticipates inflation will remain above its 2% target for an extended period, influenced by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The bank has adjusted its inflation forecasts for the coming years, expecting an average of 3% in 2026 and 2.5% in 2027. The situation differs from previous inflation episodes, as current pressures are mainly supply-driven rather than demand-driven. The ECB is closely monitoring the impact of energy shocks on the economy and interest rates.