In this paper, we show that imposing linear penalties on inflation and income divergences to a common central bank could be an interesting solution to stabilization problems in a heterogeneous monetary Union. We find an “optimal contract” for monetary policy which enforces the optimal...

It is widely recognized that the Euro area is an asymmetric monetary union which assembles countries with heterogeneous structures on financial, goods and labour markets stricken by asymmetric shocks. However, the main objective of the European Central Bank (ECB) is to preserve price stability...