EU leaders told to ‘water the green shoots’

European economies are starting a robust recovery on the back of an accelerating vaccination campaign

Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank at Friday's summit of EU leaders.

European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde urged leaders to keep their fiscal purse strings loose, warning that a premature brake on stimulus measures could derail a nascent recovery.

At a summit of European Union leaders in Brussels today, Ms Lagarde said continued support is needed to avoid the pandemic leaving large scars on the economy, according to an official familiar with her remarks.