“The MNB has noted that downside risks to inflation have risen in the recent period, however, there are no significant second-round inflationary impacts as yet,” the central bank told Reuters. Consumer prices in Hungary fell 0.9% in December year-on-year, declining more than expected.

“Achieving the medium-term inflation target points in the direction of maintaining current loose monetary conditions for an extended period,” the MNB’s Monetary Council said in the minutes from their last rate-setting meeting in December.