Governments have recapitalised some institutions and have provided public guarantees to restore confidence in the interbank market. Smooth cooperation among all players involved is crucial. In particular, when the central bank does not directly supervise credit institutions, it is essential for it to receive without delay all relevant information.
French presidential candidate Segolène Royal and other politicians of your home country have demanded the ECB should be subject to political decisions. What is your comment? We are independent because it has been decided by our political democracies. As you know the ECB is an apolitical institution working for the sake of all 315 million fellow citizens whatever their sensitivities.