Topic: Jean-Claude Trichet

Market watchers, journalists and self-declared ECB experts of all ilk have fostered the long-cherished (and equally long misguided) view that ECB council members walk into the meetings waving the flag of their respective countries. They don´t.

During Europe's financial crisis the European Central Bank has been "an anchor of stability and confidence," former president Jean-Claude Trichet said.

Following the daily swings of the euro zone debt crisis, it can be difficult to focus on the long-term, bigger picture.

The markets are making it clear they think Italy will be better off financially if the country’s Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, steps down. There’s a reason for that.