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2026-04-07 16:13:17
[ECB Governing Council Member Winsch: Multiple Rate Hikes Possible if Middle East Energy Crisis Continues] ⑴ ECB Governing Council member and Belgian central bank governor Winsch said in an interview on Monday that if the energy crisis triggered by the Middle East conflict persists for a long time, the ECB may have to raise its benchmark interest rate multiple times, with the first action possibly occurring later this month. ⑵ Winsch stated, "I personally prefer to put it this way: if the conflict is not over by the end of June, I think we will have to raise interest rates, but I do not rule out the possibility of a rate hike in April." He indicated that officials cannot change the direct impact of the crisis on energy prices, but they can limit its impact on the prices of other goods and services. ⑶ Winsch pointed out that the central bank needs to take action at some point to control the indirect impact of the energy crisis.
