Episode 9. Debt, inflation and interest rates: a challenging balance

It’s Davos season, and the 47 President of the United States has just been inaugurated. The road ahead is uncertain, with only informed speculation to guide expectations. Against this backdrop, in this episode of DebtTalks – recorded on January 29, 2025 –Paola Subacchi and Isabelle Mateos y Lago examine the relationship between monetary policy and sovereign debt. They discuss how central banks influence government borrowing costs and debt sustainability, particularly as policymakers navigate inflation and economic uncertainty. Changes in interest rates can either ease fiscal pressures or create new challenges for heavily indebted economies. The conversation delves into the current policy landscape, the impact of tightening or loosening monetary conditions, and the potential consequences for bond markets and public finances.

Hosts & Guests:
- Paola Subacchi is Professor of Political Economy, University of Bologna, and the Incoming Chair in Sovereign Debt and Finance at Sciences Po.
- Isabelle Mateos y Lago is Group Chief Economist at BNP Paribas.  

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