ECB, hit by lone protester, pledges to keep cash floodgates open

Published April 16, 2015
FRANKFURT: A woman jumped on a table and started throwing papers and confetti to interrupts a press conference by ECP President Mario Draghi (C), following a meeting of the Governing Council on Wednesday.—AFP
FRANKFURT: A woman jumped on a table and started throwing papers and confetti to interrupts a press conference by ECP President Mario Draghi (C), following a meeting of the Governing Council on Wednesday.—AFP

FRANKFURT: The Euro­pean Central Bank dismissed speculation of an early end to its ultra-easy money policy at a protest-marred press conference on Wednesday, saying its medicine is already fuelling economic recovery.

The ECB’s governing council, meeting a day earlier than usual because of weekend meetings of the World Bank and IMF, voted to hold its key interest rates at all-time lows.

The traditionally staid post-meeting news conference was briefly interrupted when a young woman charged at ECB chief Mario Draghi calling for an “end to the ECB dictatorship”. She was quickly apprehended and escorted out of the premises before the news conference resumed.

Police told AFP afterwards that the woman from Hamburg had had a valid media accreditation. She was questioned by police but later released, a police spokesman said.

The ECB has frequently been the target of protests, but this was the first time a demonstrator has actually infiltrated the building, where security is normally extremely tight.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.