Should the ECB’s mandate be changed?
The ECB is sometimes criticised for only having a mandate to fight inflation. It is suggested that its mandate include maintaining financial stability, supporting investment and employment, and decarbonising the economy. This suggestion raises two questions: Is the ECB not already working to boost investment and employment? Its response to inflation since 2022 seems weak in relation to the rise in inflation; If the ECB adopts this multiplication of objectives, can it remain independent? In theory, no, since it would have to coordinate monetary policy with other economic policies (fiscal, employment, etc.).