Tensions in the Middle East pose the biggest threat to a prospective interest rate cut from the European Central Bank, according to ECB policymaker Robert Holzmann.
"At this stage, I think the biggest threat is geopolitics, because we have seen what's happened in the Middle East," Austrian central bank governor Holzmann told CNBC's Karen Tso on Wednesday.
Holzmann singled out ramifications for energy prices as the single most important factor in terms of Europe's fight to tame inflation.
"As summer approaches we can start reducing the level of restriction in monetary policy, provided that inflation continues to fall as projected."
He recently told Reuters that the ECB could moderate rates in June, indicating a growing consensus for a near-term move.
Persons:
Robert Holzmann, Holzmann, Karen Tso, policymaker Olli Rehn, Rehn
Organizations:
European Central Bank, ECB, International Monetary, Bank of, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Reuters
Locations:
Austrian, Hormuz, Iran, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Bank of Finland, London