Future central bank governor says interests rates should remain above normal

The Czech National Bank (ČNB) should keep its interest rates at a higher level than normal in order to prevent what is currently a predominantly cost-push inflation turning into a demand-pull inflation, ČNB board member and future governor Aleš Michl has told the weekly Ekonom. Cost push inflation is a phenomenon largely independent of external control, he said.

According to Mr Michl it is necessary to support government efforts to lower public debt and not to increase wages above labour productivity growth levels.

In the future, the yield from the ČNB's foreign exchange reserves could finance the deficit of the pension system, the upcoming bank governor said.

Mr Michl is set to replace current Czech National Bank Governor Jiří Rusnok from July of this year.