Book review:The European Central Bank between the financial crisis and populisms by Corrado Macchiarelli, Mara Monti, Claudia Wiesner and Sebastian Diessner

In The European Central Bank between the Financial Crisis and Populisms, the authors Corrado Macchiarelli, Mara Monti, Claudia Wiesner and Sebastian Diessner unveil the problematic relationship between the European Central Bank and European politics, and especially the populist and sovereigntist threats to its legitimacy and independence. It reveals how at times the ECB has had no choice but to make difficult decisions that impinged on the responsibilities of fiscal authorities to safeguard the European project, arguably going to the very limits of its mandate. This fascinating book is essential reading for those wanting to understand the difficult relationship between unelected central bankers and elected politicians, writes Lorenzo Codogno.