(Much as the Bundesbank today is involved at the centre of German public life and public debate.) It is precisely that independent position which requires the central bank to engage with the general public, to explain its monetary policy, and to make its motives and strategy as transparent as possible.
It is not least for that reason that the Bundesbank is advocating a pre-announced monetary target for European monetary policy, by which it must then allow itself to be judged. Conversely, I can assure you that the general public, too, is keeping a close watch on monetary policy and subjecting it to a critical assessment.