The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) is a proposed international organisation which, if established, will provide financial assistance to members of the eurozone in financial difficulties.

On 12 September 2012 Germany's top constitutional court dismissed attempts to block the creation of the European Stability Mechanism, handing a victory to Chancellor Angela Merkel, who championed the 500 billion-euro ($645 billion) bailout facility. The Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe dismissed motions that sought to block the ESM, while ruling Germany's 190 billion-euro contribution can't be increased without legislative approval.