At the height of the European sovereign debt crisis, the European Central Bank decided to purchase distressed European government bonds. Even worse, and more importantly, the ECB is providing direct support of several hundred billions of euros to troubled banks via its normal monetary policy...

The sovereign debt crisis has made it clear that central banking is more than keeping inflation low. Central banks are also responsible for financial stability. An essential tool in maintaining financial stability is provided by the capacity of the central bank to be the lender of last resort in...

Das Kommunikationsverhalten der EZB wird verschiedentlich kritisiert. Zwei Instrumente, mehr Transparenz und Forward Guidance, stehen dabei im Mittelpunkt. Die Veröffentlichung von Protokollen der EZB-Ratssitzungen wird immer wieder angemahnt, und die EZB gibt mittlerweile eine Vorausschau auf...

The European Community faces the task of reformulating its Mediterranean policy in the light of the rather disappointing experience with the “Global Mediterranean Policy” adopted in 1972, the effects of the southward enlargement of the Community and the changed world economic climate. The...