Always an important event in the calendar, the potential usefulness of this year’s pre-budget conference, at which options and strategies can be discussed among experts in a very practical way, hardly needs emphasis. So I am glad that it is here that I can make my first public address as Governor of the Central Bank.
Naturally, my theme today is adapted to the focus of the Conference. Thus today I want to talk mainly about bringing the public finances back to a sustainable position. I will also touch on two central tasks of my new role, namely price developments and the reform of the banking system, though mainly insofar as they interact with the budgetary situation.