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ECB must act on inflation sooner rather than later, policymaker Pereira says

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on May 30, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: May 30, 2026

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ECB Should Address Inflation Swiftly to Prevent Further Impact, Says Pereira

ECB's Approach to Inflation and Interest Rates

Pereira Emphasizes Urgency in Tackling Inflation

LISBON, May 30 (Reuters) - The European Central Bank must act on inflation sooner rather than later, ECB Governing Council member Alvaro Santos Pereira told Portugal's Antena 1 broadcaster on Saturday.

Reviewing Economic Data and Past Experiences

"Our concern right now is inflation; we need to look at the data very closely. But I also think, looking at what happened in the past, that we need to act sooner rather than later, to avoid a greater second-round impact," said Pereira, who is also governor of the Bank of Portugal.

Swift and Decisive Action Against Inflationary Spiral

"When there is an inflationary spiral, I prefer that we act swiftly and decisively."

Interest Rate Hike Considerations

Asked whether that meant that he would support an interest rate hike at next month's ECB meeting, he said: "We will have new ECB estimates and data from different countries, we will look at what is happening with prices and then we will make a decision."

Reporting Attribution

(Reporting by Andrei Khalip)

Key Takeaways

  • Euro‑area inflation has surged to around 3 % in April–May, well above the ECB’s 2 % target, driven largely by energy costs and fueling hawkish sentiment
  • Markets price an approximately 80 %+ probability of a 25 bp ECB interest‑rate hike at the June 11 meeting
  • Pereira’s call aligns with other policymakers (e.g. Panetta, Schnabel) who emphasize acting swiftly and data‑dependently to preserve credibility and contain inflation
  • Energy price pressures from the Middle East are expected to persist into 2027, raising the risk of second‑round inflation effects without timely monetary response

Frequently Asked Questions

What did ECB member Pereira say about inflation?
Pereira stated the ECB must act on inflation sooner rather than later to avoid greater second-round impacts.
Why does Pereira advocate swift action from the ECB?
He believes acting swiftly can prevent an inflationary spiral and mitigate further economic impact.
Will the ECB consider an interest rate hike?
Pereira indicated that any decision on raising rates will depend on new ECB estimates and country-specific data.
What is the current main concern for the ECB?
The ECB’s primary focus right now is managing inflation across the euro area.
When will the ECB make a decision on interest rates?
A decision will be made at next month's ECB meeting, based on the latest data and estimates.

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