ECB

Macron says EU nominations are positive for Europe

France — Link

French president praised 'capacities and competences' of French ex-minister Christine Lagarde who is set to be new European Central Bank boss.

France 'targeting Commission presidency' in new EU appointments

International — Link

The French government is aiming to place one of its nationals as EU Commission president after incumbent Jean-Claude Junker leaves the post this year, in preference to competing for the presidency of the European Central Bank, also due for a new head, according to informed sources cited by news agency Reuters.

'We underestimated their power': Greek government insider lifts the lid on five months of 'humiliation' and 'blackmail'

International — Document

In this interview with Mediapart, a senior advisor to the Greek government, who has been at the heart of the past five months of negotiations between Athens and its international creditors, reveals the details of what resembles a game of liar’s dice over the fate of a nation that has been brought to its economic and social knees. His account gives a rare and disturbing insight into the process which has led up to this week’s make-or-break deadline for reaching a bailout deal between Greece and international lenders, without which the country faces crashing out of the euro and complete bankruptcy. He describes the extraordinary bullying of Greece’s radical-left government by the creditors, including Eurogroup president Jeroen Dijsselbloem’s direct threat to cause the collapse of the Hellenic banks if it failed to sign-up to a drastic austerity programme. “We went into a war thinking we had the same weapons as them”, he says. “We underestimated their power”.

French PM says European bank cannot 'cut off lifeline' to Greece

France — Link

Manuel Valls stressed that the ECB is independent but added: 'It's the Greek nation that is suffering.'

France drifts into deflation

France — Link

France's INSEE agency said core inflation fell to -0.2pc in November in clearest sign yet that economy is succumbing to deflationary forces.

ECB's Draghi: France must pursue economic reforms

France — Link

Central bank boss says France has made 'big efforts' but competitiveness is 'insufficient' and country is over reliant on tax hikes to cut deficits.

Hollande, Monti meet at start of critical week for euro

International — Link

Italian PM Mario Monti and French President François Hollande meet ahead of critical ECB initiative to save the euro to be unveiled Thursday.

France, Germany and Italy squash market hopes of ECB intervention

International — Link

France, Germany and Italy rule out major intervention by the European Central Bank to solve sovereign debt crisis and to prevent renewed recession.

France faces further clash with Germany over push for ECB backstop

International — Link

French finance minister François Baroin risked a further clash with Germany arguing that ECB support for Europe's recue fund is the best solution.

France and Germany clash over ECB role in crisis

International — Link

France and Germany disagree over whether the European Central Bank should intervene more forcefully to halt eurozone's accelerating debt crisis.

Siemens moves millions from French bank to ECB

International — Link

German industrial group Siemens withdrew more than half-a-billion euros in deposits from a large French bank and transferred it to the ECB.

Sarkozy says Bini Smaghi to quit ECB this year

International — Link

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Italy's Lorenzo Bini Smaghi will quit the executive board of the European Central Bank this year.

Sarkozy says Bini Smaghi to quit ECB this year

International — Link

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Italy's Lorenzo Bini Smaghi will quit the executive board of the European Central Bank this year.