European Central Bank Unveils Bond-Buying Plan

by Jim Zarroli, NPR

The European Central Bank announced Thursday that it will increase purchases of government bonds to bring down interest rates for heavily indebted countries in the eurozone. President Mario Draghi's plans were sharply criticized by some, who argue that the European Central Bank, unlike the U.S. Federal Reserve, has only one mandate — to keep prices stable and it isn't supposed to set interest rates.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, September 6, 2012