While that framework is essentially preventive, in that its objective is to reduce so far as possible the risk of public debt crises, the objective of establishing the ESM is the management of financial crises which, notwithstanding such preventive action as might have been taken, might nonetheless arise.
Kuigi see raamistik on oma sisult ennetav, kuna selle eesmärk on võimalikult ulatuslikult vähendada riigivõlakriiside ohtu, on ESMi loomise eesmärk ohjata finantskriise, mis võivad tekkida hoolimata nende ennetamiseks võetud meetmetest.