Germany still opposes larger rescue fund

FRANKFURT, Germany — Germany says it remains opposed to increasing the size of the eurozone’s bailout fund for troubled governments.

The German stance could limit the European Financial Stabilty Fund’s ability to prop up government bonds and bail out troubled countries.

Germany Finance Ministry Christoph Steegmans said the fund “will remain what it is.”

Economists say the 440 billion euro fund is too small to rescue financially troubled Italy if that becomes necessary.

It could also limit the fund’s ability to support Italian and Spanish bonds when it receives those powers later this year.