It means that a central bank ought to rely on a robust balance sheet in order to underline its independence. But financial independence also applies to the personal independence of the people running the central bank. I think that as a Luxemburger I should not give anyone a lesson in this respect.
The Treaty has made the ECB responsible and accountable for the maintenance of price stability over the medium term. That is why it also has been shielded from political pressures. Medium term price stability should not be sacrificed to meet short-term objectives linked to political and electoral considerations, risking to weaken the stability of the currency. 5.