Coronavirus outbreak threatens EU economy

President of the ECB is ready to take all the appropriate and targeted measures to fight Coronavirus outbreak. ECB President Christine Lagarde and Vice-President Luis de Guindos explain the Governing Council’s monetary policy decisions and answer questions at the Governing Council press conference being held on 12 March 2020.

Coronavirus outbreak

The coronavirus outbreak is a fast developing situation, which creates risks for the economic outlook and the functioning of financial markets. The ECB is closely monitoring developments and their implications for the economy, medium-term inflation and the transmission of our monetary policy. We stand ready to take appropriate and targeted measures, as necessary and commensurate with the underlying risks.

Data released Tuesday showed euro zone inflation hitting a three-month low in February, according to the European statistics office. This is a crucial data point for the ECB, whose primary mandate is to react to price changes.

LIVE: ECB President Christine Lagarde

Press conference on Coronavirus outbreak following the meeting of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank on 12 March 2020, starting at 14:30 CET.

Lagarde’s first test case!

ECB meeting is the first test case for ECB president Christine Lagarde. With hardly any ammunition left and confronted with an external shock which cannot be tamed by economic policies and recent market turmoil, the ECB has to fight two battles at the same time.

Coronavirus Outbreak is a fast developing situation!

As part of ECB strategy review, Christine Lagarde wants to hear your opinions and ideas. ECB is inviting civil society organizations to the first ECB Listens event on 26 March in Brussels.

Be aware of Coronavirus outbreak

How the ECB came to control the economy?