PARIS (AFX) - The European Central Bank will leave its refinancing rate at 3.25 pct at next Thursday's governing council meeting in Maastricht, according to a poll of economists by AFX News and Agence France-Presse. Of 34 economists polled, 32 said they expect the minimum bid rate on ECB refinancing operations to be kept at 3.25 pct on Thursday. The remaining two forecast a rate cut on Thursday or at one of the ECB's next rate-setting meetings on March 7 and April 4. Deutsche Bank economist Ulrich Beckmann said he is forecasting a cut at either the Feb 7 or March 7 meetings, with a higher probability that the cut will come at the March meeting. Sirpa Wallius of Nordea also sees a March cut as more likely, while not ruling out an easing move next week. "The next move is expected on March 7 or on April 4 at the latest. A rate cut on February 7 cannot be excluded. We estimate a 35 pct probability for a cut already in February," she said. Most economists see room for a further easing of ECB monetary policy before the middle of the year, with 22 of the 34 forecasting a rate cut by end-June. Four see the refi rate as low as 2.50 pct at mid-year, with five predicting a 2.75 pct level, 13 forecasting a 3.00 pct rate and 12 an unchanged figure of 3.25 pct. There is considerable divergence on the course of interest rates in the second half. Some economists expect the ECB to start tightening policy again in the second half, while others see no rise in rates until 2003. Forecasts for the end-year refi rate range from 2.50 to 4.25 pct, but the majority of those surveyed -- 29 of the 34 -- predict an end-year level of 2.75 to 3.50 pct.