Brussels, 24/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - Spain is expected to plead its cause in the race for the Presidency of the Eurogroup, on the sidelines of the European summit to be held on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 June.
Although the subject is not officially on the agenda of the European Council, there is “no doubt” that the presence in Brussels of the European leaders represents “an opportunity for informal exchanges”, according to a senior European diplomat. Even if “more urgent” subjects, such as the expiry of the second Greek bailout plan on 30 June, have to be resolved before the middle of next month, when the mandate of the current Eurogroup President, the Dutch Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem, comes to an end.
If a solution was found on the Greek dossier at the Eurogroup scheduled for the night of Wednesday 24 or Thursday 25 June (see other article), the summit at the end of the week is the last opportunity for the Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, for a face-to-face discussion with his opposite numbers from countries which are undecided or currently in favour of renewing the mandate of the outgoing president, who is also standing.
Dijsselbloem, who hopes to focus the ministers' attention on Greece, had decided to postpone the choice of Eurogroup chair to the meeting of the eurozone finance ministers of Monday 13 July (see EUROPE 11337). This postponement will allow the Spanish camp to hit the campaign trail in support of Luis De Guindos. However, Spain will have a weighty problem to solve, as general elections are scheduled to take place in the country this autumn. De Guindos is hoping to become Eurogroup President without gaining another term in his ministerial duties. The only possible option would be to make the presidency of this informal group permanent, but the report of the 'five presidents' on reinforcing Economic and Monetary Union does not provide for this possibility until 2017 (see EUROPE 11340).
The final decision on the Presidency of the Eurogroup will ultimately be made by a simple majority of the 19 ministers. (Mathieu Bion)