ECB package can't solve economic problems in Europe: Merkel ally

"The ECB package cannot and will not solve the economic problems in Europe," said Ralph Brinkhaus, deputy parliamentary floor leader of Merkel's conservative bloc.

The ECB measures would come to nothing as long as governments were not willing to push ahead with structural reforms, he said, adding: "There is also the risk of bubbles forming, for example on the real estate market."

A spokesman for German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble declined to comment on the ECB's latest decision, saying the central bank's monetary policy is independent.

(Reporting by Michael Nienaber; Editing by Michelle Martin)