10/02/2014
OMT bill: German courts turn to European judges
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } The German constitutional court before the weekend decided to refer to European courts on the question fo a proposed programme for debt to eb repurchased yb the European central bank (ECB), known as the OMT programme, hitherto never used, as it claims that it exceeds its mandate in its current form. A majority of judges on the German court (6 out of 8) find that the programme infringes the national sovereignty of the 18 countries of the euro zone, insofar as these countries have to bear the ultimate risk taken on by the ECB by repurchasing bonds from the troubled states. However, the court points out that the ECB is an organ of the European Union, and has therefore decided to consult the European Court of Justice in the matter. This may increase the burden on its own shoulders: in the event of an unfavourable verdict, analysts predict that the fragile balance in the region may be compromised. The ECB reacted rapidly, claiming that it was taking note of the position of the German court, but persisting in the position that the OMT programme falls within its mandate. However, concerning the European stability mechanism, which was abandoned in the form it had in spring last year, the German court said that it would deliver its decision by 18 March.
