Nieadekwatność polityki pieniężnej Europejskiego Banku Centralnego w procesie stabilizacji makroekonomicznej w strefie euro

The article examines the single monetary policy of the European Central Bank (ECB) in terms of whether it meets the stabilization needs of eurozone member states. The analysis indicates that, during the latest economic downturn in the euro area, the bank’s single monetary policy was not equally suited to the needs of individual economies. According to the author, the recent economic downturn exacerbated imbalances in euro-area member economies and raised concerns about the stability of the whole group. Due to differences in the economic situation of member states and diverse adjustment mechanisms, the ECB’s single monetary policy varied in effectiveness in terms of macroeconomic stability, the author argues. According to Urbanowicz, the eurozone crisis has demonstrated that there is a strong relationship between the stability of individual member states and the stability of the entire group. Another conclusion is that the ECB’s anti-crisis measures reduced the probability of a collapse of the eurozone. However, the ECB cannot solve all the structural economic problems in the euro zone on its own, Urbanowicz says. The key to a successful monetary union in Europe is chiefly in the hands of national governments, she adds, concluding that ultimate success depends on their economic policies and their ability to carry out difficult structural reforms.