The source said this is one of two options to boost the firepower of the regional bailout fund–a key element of a promised comprehensive response to the debt crisis and to protect the likes of Italy and Spain from contagion. The paper says the two options could be combined.

The official said neither option would require a change to the legal basis of the European Financial Stability Facility. That‘s key because it means that euro-zone governments and parliament would not need to re-ratify the changed rules.