The European Central Bank bought only (EURO)2.3 billion ($3.1 billion) in government bonds last week to keep pressure from the eurozone debt crisis off financially troubled governments.
The purchases announced Monday were down from (EURO)3.8 billion the week before.
The bond purchases are aimed at driving down bond market interest rates that are putting pressure on the finances of countries such as Italy and Spain.
Fears that Greece may ultimately default on its overwhelming debt load has raised concerns about other countries' bonds. Greece, Ireland and Portugal have already needed bailouts, and higher interest costs threaten to make affordable borrowing impossible for other countries as well.
