Europe's Illicit Emperor

"The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: three men who, outside any democratic process, have occupied the throne of Europe's emperor: President of the ECB. Dutchman Wim Duisenberg resembles Louis XV: a beloved king, but a dilettante whose clumsiness is incompatible with the exercise of power. France's Jean Claude Trichet is Charlemagne, the emperor of emperors. Italy's Mario Draghi has traits in common with Caesar Borgia: talented, intelligent, creative... but with a dark, sometimes disturbing side." In this biting book, packed with personal anecdotes, Jean François Bouchard takes a hard look at the workings of the ECB. Competent or incompetent? Too concerned with private interests? Insensitive to states and citizens? We know the Greek answer: let Draghi visit Athens unescorted, and his guts will be used to hang him from the columns of the Parthenon. The author invites us to rethink the ECB, to inject checks and balances into it and help turn around the European economy.