The European Central Bank is ready to provide further support to the eurozone's
banking system if necessary, its president Mario Draghi has said.
"The eurosystem will continue to supply liquidity to solvent banks where
needed," he told a conference.
A general election in Greece on Sunday has heightened fears of further
instability on financial markets.
Anti-austerity parties are expected to do well in the poll, possibly marking
the start of Greece's eurozone exit.
'Strengthened foundations'
On Thursday, UK Chancellor George Osborne unveiled a multi-billion pound
stimulus programme for the economy as protection against the "eurozone debt
storm".
Mr Draghi, speaking in Frankfurt, said that while financial authorities stood
ready to act if necessary, it was now for politicians to take the lead.
"Political choices have become predominant over monetary policy instruments,"
he said.
The euro currency needed "strengthened foundations", which would mean
governments relinquishing some powers over financial and economic policy to
supra-national bodies.
Mr Draghi said that he and other top officials working on a longer-term vision
for the euro and economic policy will have something "very soon... All the work
we're doing is with a view to the next [EU] summit" at the end of June.
"The outcome will get to be known pretty soon, in a matter of days," he added.