Brussels, 26/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - The French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, has thrown his weight behind the governor of Banca d'Italia, Mario Draghi, to take over from Jean-Claude Trichet as the head of the European Central Bank (ECB). After a Franco-Italian summit meeting, Sarkozy said that France would be delighted to back an Italian for the president of the ECB, namely Mario Draghi. Sarkozy said he knew Draghi very well and did not back him because he was Italian, but because he is a high quality candidate and it would send an excellent signal to all Italians who might have doubts about their role in Europe. He said he hoped Italy would back a French candidate for the ECB Directorate. Draghi recently met German finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble, but German Chancellor Angela Merkel has not yet commented on his candidacy. The decision on who is to take over at the helm of the ECB will probably be taken at the June 2011 European Council, with the successful candidate taking up office in October 2011. Trichet told two Finnish newspapers that what was required in the leader of the ECB was a good team spirit, a strong institution and the wisdom arising from a collective decision. (M.B./transl.fl)