Clear communication key as Berlin wrangles with economic direction
Thursday 17 February 2022 – Vol.13 Ed.7.4
Commentary: Competing Berlin economic players stretch Scholz’s big tent
By David Marsh and Mark Sobel
The three-party German coalition is a big tent. Behind the scenes, the economic policy tent has been getting more disorderly. The good news is that Berlin is replete with vibrant policy-makers intent on resolving Germany’s and Europe’s economic problems. These objectives could be stymied by government squabbles. Personnel wrangles will be a litmus test of coalition cohesion. There are, however, glimmers of hope.
Read the full commentary on the website.
Commentary: Communications can bite central banks
By Mark Sobel in Washington
Jerome Powell and Christine Lagarde have come under extensive criticism from all sides for poor communications following the recent FOMC and ECB press conferences. Terms such as ‘gaffe’, ‘clumsy’, ‘disconnected’ and ‘engaging in damage control’ were bandied about. Hubris is not lacking. Central banks do mangle their communications at times. But even if communication is clear, it is still an exercise fraught with potential confusion. Powell and Lagarde deserve some empathy, not brickbats.
Read the full commentary on the website.
