European Central Bank President
Mario Draghi on Wednesday said it was "not fair" to label the
ECB as the culprit of austerity in Europe as protesters clashed
with police outside the institution.
"As an EU institution that has played a central role
throughout the crisis, the ECB has become a focal point for
those frustrated with the situation," Mr Draghi said.
"Our action has been aimed precisely at cushioning the
shocks suffered by the economy" the ECB president explained,
describing the criticism against the bank as unwarranted.
Draghi stressed that as the central bank of the whole euro
area, the institution would listen very carefully to the demands
of its citizens and said he understood why people asked for
change.
"There is no country in the world that can prosper
insulated from globalisation" added the ECB president.
Thousands of anti-austerity protesters clashed with riot
police near the new ECB headquarters on Wednesday.
Several cars were set on fire and streets were blocked by
burning stacks of tyres and rubbish bins.
Eight police officers were reported injured after
stone-throwing.
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