Austria's Ministry of Finance says inflation remains too high and will scrutinise services and fuel pricing

Austria's Ministry of Finance issued a reaction to the inflation flash estimate, with Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer saying inflation eased slightly in December but remains clearly too high and that recently adopted anti-inflation measures should start to take effect soon. The government’s actions cited included the rent price brake, steps on energy prices and regulatory measures affecting food prices, alongside the message that inflation has multiple drivers and no single lever will bring it down automatically. Attention is set to focus on service-sector prices, particularly accommodation and hospitality, where increases are running above average, while fuel prices will be examined more closely amid concerns that the sharp fall in global crude oil prices has not been reflected at the pump despite a small December decline.