Interview with Piero Cipollone, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, conducted by Élisabeth Montaufray-Bureau on 10 July 2026

15 July 2026

What is your view on last Thursday’s vote by the European Parliament to back the digital euro?

It was a very important step because the Parliament represents Europe’s citizens and its endorsement lends great legitimacy to the project. The Parliament voted almost 70% in favour of the digital euro. It took the time to listen to all European stakeholders – merchants, citizens and banks – and to other central banks outside the euro area. This democratic process has helped ensure that the digital euro is completely robust. The digital euro will safeguard the freedom of Europeans to choose how they pay. That was the issue at stake in the vote.

What would you say to those that voted against the digital euro?

I also listened carefully to those who voted against it. They had two main reasons for doing so: protection of privacy and concerns…