23/01/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 22 January, the President of the Eurogroup, Mario Centeno, announced the launch of the procedure to appoint a future Vice-President of the European Central Bank (ECB). The successful individual will take over from Portugal's Vitor Constâncio, whose term in office concludes at the end of May. The candidates, who have until 7 February to throw their hats into the ring, are expected to include the current Spanish Minister for the Economy and Competitiveness, Luis de Guindos. “What I can tell you is that Spain will put a candidate forward”, he said in Brussels. The European Parliament, which will hold hearings of the pre-selected candidates, but whose position is not binding, hopes that a woman will be appointed to the post. (MB)