Central bank leaders from several countries have expressed support for Jerome H. Powell, Chair of the Federal Reserve System, following his recent statement on January 11, 2026. In a joint message, these officials emphasized the importance of central bank independence as fundamental to maintaining price stability and financial security.
“We stand in full solidarity with the Federal Reserve System and its Chair Jerome H.Powell. The independence of central banks is a cornerstone of price, financial and economic stability in the interest of the citizens that we serve. It is therefore critical to preserve that independence, with full respect for the rule of law and democratic accountability. Chair Powell has served with integrity, focused on his mandate and an unwavering commitment to the public interest. To us, he is a respected colleague who is held in the highest regard by all who have worked with him.”
The statement was issued by Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank on behalf of its Governing Council; Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England; Erik Thedéen, Governor of Sveriges Riksbank; Christian Kettel Thomsen, Chairman of Danmarks Nationalbank’s Board; Martin Schlegel from Swiss National Bank; Ida Wolden Bache from Norges Bank; Michele Bullock from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA); Tiff Macklem from Bank of Canada; Chang Yong Rhee from Bank of Korea; Gabriel Galípolo from Banco Central do Brasil; François Villeroy de Galhau and Pablo Hernández de Cos from the Bank for International Settlements.
Michele Bullock has served as governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia since September 18, 2023. She chairs its Governance, Monetary Policy and Payments System boards according to information available on the official website. The RBA operates as Australia’s central bank with responsibilities including implementing monetary policy to meet inflation targets while ensuring currency stability and economic prosperity (official website). The institution also manages gold and foreign exchange reserves (official website), issues durable banknotes designed to resist counterfeiting (official website), provides banking services to government entities, and maintains an efficient payments system.
Founded in 1960 through legislation enacted by Parliament (official website), the RBA pursues objectives such as fostering full employment and promoting Australians’ economic welfare (official website). Since adopting formal inflation targeting in the 1990s (official website), it aims to keep average inflation between two and three percent over time.
The joint statement reflects ongoing concerns among global monetary authorities about preserving their autonomy amid changing political environments.
