Dutch MPs clash with EU bank president Mario Draghi over policies, euro
European central bank president Mario Draghi was given a rough ride by Dutch MPs on Wednesday as he appeared before the parliament’s finance committee.
Dutch MPs have become increasingly critical of the central bank’s policies and according to the Financial Times, the ‘rare public grilling’ rattled Draghi as he defended unpopular policies and answered questions about the euro and measures to revive the eurozone economy.
Asked about the possibility of the Netherlands leaving the euro by eurosceptic MP Thierry Baudet, Draghi said: ‘The euro is irrevocable. This is the treaty. I will not speculate on something that has no basis.’
The central bank’s policies had helped create 4.5 million jobs, Draghi said.
Draghi went on to admit that Dutch pension funds have been affected by the low interest rates. Nevertheless, he said, pension funds portfolios are increasing in value because of the policies, he pointed out.
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