The ECB Podcast

The euro family is growing. Bulgaria is gearing up to adopt the euro. But what hopes and fears come with the transition? And were there similar feelings in other countries? To explore these questions, our podcast team spoke with content creators Mihaela, Elena and Stefan (also known as Chefo) to hear their perspectives on the transition. Meanwhile, in the podcast studio, our host Stefania Secola explored the topic with ECB researcher Ferdinand Dreher, who shed light on why public sentiment towards the euro tends to improve once people start using it in their everyday lives. The views expressed are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the European Central Bank. Recorded on 11 and 16 December. Published on 22 December 2025. In this episode: 00:53 Looking back at Germany’s adoption of the euro Ferdinand shares his personal memories of Germany’s transition to the euro. 04:46 What are the biggest concerns around Bulgaria’s euro adoption? Concerns arise with every major change. We asked three Bulgarian content creators – Mihaela, Elena and Stefan (also known as Chefo) – about their biggest concerns regarding euro adoption. 08:00 What does the research show? What do surveys reveal about people’s concerns? What are the biggest concerns, and what are the initial inconveniences of the transition? 13:07 What are the biggest hopes around Bulgaria’s euro adoption? Alongside fears, there are also hopes. Mihaela, Elena and Stefan share their perspectives on the positive aspects of euro adoption. 15:55 How do people’s feelings evolve after adoption? Surveys show a significant shift in sentiment from the last survey before adoption to the first survey after adoption. What drives this change? Does clear communication play a key role? 20:13 What about Eurosceptics? Does Euroscepticism persist after adoption? 21:30 What about concerns around national identity? Do people feel that their national identity is under threat? Euro coins have a European side and a national side – does this help? Can European and national identities coexist? 23:53 Concerns are normal, but benefits will come What is the message for countries who may adopt the euro in the future? 25:26 Our guest’s hot tip Ferdinand shares his hot tip with listeners. Blog post by Ferdinand Dreher and Nils Hernborg “Love at second sight: support for the euro before and after adoption” https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/blog/date/2025/html/ecb.blog20251104~cf577c8f68.en.html Design of the euro coins – Bulgaria https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/html/bg.en.html Bulgaria on the doorstep of the euro area https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/changeover/bulgaria/html/index.en.html ECB Instagram https://www.instagram.com/europeancentralbank/

President Lagarde unveils the latest decisions on interest rates, keeping them unchanged amid resilient economic performance. She highlights strong growth in sectors like chemicals and ICT, driven by robust labor markets and rising real incomes. Inflation remains a key focus, with projections extending to 2028. Lagarde also assesses various risks from geopolitical tensions to fiscal boosts affecting the outlook. Dive into the dynamics of financial and monetary conditions shaping the economy today.

John Fell is the Deputy Director General for Macroprudential Policy and Financial Stability at the European Central Bank, specializing in systemic financial risks. He discusses the current state of financial stability amidst easing trade tensions, but emphasizes lingering uncertainties. The conversation navigates the complexities of the potential AI bubble, highlighting stretched valuations and investment risks. Fell warns about the misnomer of stablecoins and their liquidity threats, underscoring the interconnectedness of traditional finance and private credit expansion.

Aidas Palubinskas, host of the EU Finance Podcast, teams up with Piero Cipollone, an ECB Executive Board member, to dive into the concept of the digital euro. They explore its potential to modernize payments without replacing cash, addressing security concerns and misconceptions surrounding data privacy. Cipollone explains the differences between current digital options and central bank money, highlighting how the digital euro could enhance efficiency while maintaining public choice. Finally, they discuss the anticipated timeline for its rollout.

Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank and former Managing Director of the IMF, discusses the latest monetary policy decisions and economic assessment for the euro area. She reveals that key interest rates will remain unchanged and delves into recent economic growth, spurred by tourism and digital services. Lagarde also highlights the challenges posed by global trade tensions, ongoing inflation dynamics, and the advancement of the Digital Euro Project, outlining the intricate balance of risks and reforms needed for future stability.

The verdict on climate change is bleaker than ever before. The remaining carbon budget to limit global warming to 1.5°C is rapidly shrinking – equivalent to just three years of emissions at current rates. What is the scientific framework known as planetary boundaries? What’s science telling us about the economic impact of climate change? And how is the ECB addressing climate and nature-related risks? Our host Paul Gordon speaks to Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and Irene Heemskerk, head of the ECB’s climate change centre, to find out why. The views expressed are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the European Central Bank. Recorded on 8 October 2025 and published on 14 October 2025. In this episode: 01:48 Where do we stand in the fight against climate change? What is science telling us? What could get us back on track? 05:58 Is climate change attracting enough attention? Is it being overshadowed by other challenges, like the war in Ukraine or geopolitical fragmentation? How is climate change connected to the economy? And what level of risk are we facing? 10:30 What are planetary boundaries? What is the planetary boundaries framework? 14:50 The phases of climate change How has global warming evolved over time? Are we heading for disaster? Is the 1.5°C threshold a goal or a limit? 19:15 Why is our economy dependent on climate change? Why do climate insights matter to the work of a central bank? How does the ECB take climate change into account? What risks does climate change pose to our primary mandate, price stability? And is it too late for us to take action? 23:03 What is the “right pace” for transitioning to a carbon-neutral economy? How can we balance the need for rapid change with economic interests ? 26:15 Does every step matter? What’s needed for an orderly transition? What progress has been made in recent years, and what decisions could accelerate it further? 31:55 Our guests’ hot tips Johan and Irene share their hot tips. Johan’s hot tip: The EAT-Lancet Commission on healthy, sustainable, and just food systems (published on 2 October 2025) https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01201-2/abstract TED Talks by Johan Rockström https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgqtrlixYR4 (2010) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv-tDrv__mc (2018) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sl28fkrozE (2020) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl6VhCAeEfQ (2024) Climate change and the ECB https://www.ecb.europa.eu/ecb/climate/html/index.en.html The ECB Podcast: The ECB’s climate and nature plan: our path to a greener future https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/tvservices/podcast/html/ecb.pod240125_episode78.en.html The tipping points of climate change – and where we stand https://www.ted.com/talks/johan_rockstrom_the_tipping_points_of_climate_change_and_where_we_stand?subtitle=en&geo=de ECB Instagram https://www.instagram.com/europeancentralbank/

Sharon Donnery, a member of the ECB Supervisory Board and expert in banking stability, joins the conversation to discuss how Europe’s banks are faring amid geopolitical tensions and the climate crisis. They explore the complexities of banking regulations and the potential for simplification without sacrificing resilience. Sharon uses a chair analogy to illustrate how to keep instructions clear yet strong. The changes in supervision processes aim for quicker responses and enhanced focus on key risks, ultimately benefiting both banks and consumers.

Today our Governing Council decided on monetary policy. Listen to President Christine Lagarde present today’s decisions. The statement also covers: • how the economy is performing • how we expect prices to develop • the risks to the economic outlook • the dynamics behind financial and monetary conditions Published and recorded during our press conference on 11 September 2025. Our monetary policy statement at a glance, 11 September 2025 https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/press_conference/visual-mps/2025/html/mopo_statement_explained_september.en.html Christine Lagarde, Luis de Guindos: Monetary policy statement, 11 September 2025 https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/press_conference/monetary-policy-statement/2025/html/ecb.is250911~a13675b834.en.html Monetary policy decisions, 11 September 2025 https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/pr/date/2025/html/ecb.mp250911~6afb7a9490.en.html Combined monetary policy decisions and statement, 11 September 2025 https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/press_conference/monetary-policy-statement/shared/pdf/ecb.ds250911~df624f06ba.en.pdf Macroeconomic projections, 11 September 2025 https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/projections/html/ecb.projections202509_ecbstaff~c0da697d54.en.html European Central Bank https://www.ecb.europa.eu/home/html/index.en.html

Christine Lagarde discusses the European Central Bank's decision to hold key interest rates steady as inflation stabilizes at 2%. The conversation dives into the resilience of the euro area's economy amidst global uncertainties and the potential risks ahead. There's also an analysis of recent bank lending survey results, highlighting stable credit standards for business loans and competitive lending practices. The commitment to maintain interest rates aims to achieve inflation targets and supports ongoing economic stability.

This discussion dives into the impact of increased defense spending on green energy and digital infrastructure investments. Experts explore the implications of US tariff threats on the ECB and how they could shape Europe’s economic landscape. The conversation also addresses whether the ECB favors larger economies over smaller ones and the support for nations like Slovenia. Finally, the podcast investigates the dual nature of artificial intelligence, weighing its potential benefits against risks to the financial sector.