The European Central Bank president leaves the possibility open for further interest rate hikes in the face of inflation, the level of which is still considered too high Christine Lagardein an interview with the Japanese newspaper Nikkei.

Over the past nine months, the ECB has “acted very targeted and decisively to tackle inflation” with seven consecutive rate hikes until Mayreminds Christine Lagarde, admitting, however, that “there is a long way to go” and implying that the “protectors of the euro” will have to tighten the credit tap even more, resorting to their favorite tool to ease the pressure on prices.

Prices continue to rise in foodstuffs and a wide range of goods, while inflation reached 7% in April, far from the 2% target set by the ECB.

“There are important factors that could increase risks to the path of inflation, particularly with regard to wage increases in various European countries,” warns Christine Lagarde, referring to pressures for wage increases to counter the decline in the purchasing power of workers. households due to rising prices.

Now, economists believe that the European Central Bank will proceed with an interest rate increase during both sessions that will precede the summer break.

Economically, the eurozone is “in a better position than we feared six months ago”, when Europe was facing the problem of energy supplies, according to the president of the ECB.

However, Christine Lagarde states that a shadow remains in the “frame”: the great uncertainties “involving the evolution of aggressive war of Russia against Ukraine and some signs of a slowdown in demand for manufactured goods.’