German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said it would be illegal in Germany to grant a banking license to the European Stability Mechanism, the future permanent euro-area bailout fund, Focus magazine reported, citing an interview.

Shared liability for public debt in Europe would burden Germany with unlimited risks, a prospect that would violate the country’s constitution, Westerwelle said. Europe needs to boost its competitiveness and the entire euro region needs effective economic policy changes, he said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Rainer Buergin in Berlin at rbuergin1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Hertling at jhertling@bloomberg.net