The European Central Bank has kept its key interest rates unchanged, reflecting confidence that inflation is moving in line with expectations. Slovak central bank governor Peter Kažimír, a member of the ECB’s Governing Council, said policy remains in a “neutral comfort zone,” but warned that global shocks and fiscal pressures could still push prices higher. He stressed that the ECB will decide step by step, based on data, without making advance commitments. The ECB’s deposit rate remains at 2 percent, the main refinancing rate at 2.15 percent, and the marginal lending rate at 2.4 percent.
Meanwhile, new figures from Slovakia’s Statistical Office show annual inflation slowed slightly to 4.2 percent in August, down from 4.4 percent in July — yet still among the three highest levels since December 2023. The steepest price increases were in education, hospitality, alcohol and tobacco, and various services, while food and non-alcoholic drinks rose by 3.9 percent. Housing, healthcare, and transport showed the lowest growth.
Source: STVR, TASR
