Why the ECB is in a tricky spot

The European Central Bank will meet today and make a decision that depends heavily on events happening thousands of kilometers away. That’s because the war in Iran has pushed up energy prices and inflation. ECB President Christine Lagarde and her fellow rate-setters will be in a tricky spot when deciding whether to raise borrowing costs. Zoya and Ian explain the dilemma. The conflict in the Middle East has also brought about a jet fuel shortage that has airlines warning about disruptions and governments telling people to fly less. On the show, we discuss how it’s not just a supply crisis that’s the problem, but also a shortage of information. And finally, politicians walk into classrooms … and immediately say the wrong thing. We run through some recent awkward political gaffes. If you have questions or comments — contact us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Why the ECB is in a tricky spot is an episode from POLITICO's EU Confidential by POLITICO.

This episode is 15:15 long.

This episode was published on Apr 30, 2026.

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