In a press release dated Thursday 15 February, Roberto Gualtieri, the chair of the economic and monetary affairs (ECON) committee of the European Parliament, said that the “majority of the political groups” were more convinced by Philip Lane, governor of the Irish Central Bank, than by Luis de Guindos, the Spanish Finance Minister, following a hearing on their candidacies for the vice-presidency of the European Central Bank (ECB).
The two men had been invited to present their programmes to the members of the ECON committee of the Parliament on Wednesday 14 February, having both officially declared that they were standing to take over from Portugal's Vitor Constâncio, whose term of office expires at the end of May (see EUROPE 11956).
Gualtieri added that certain groups had “reservations” about electing de Guindos to the vice-presidency of the ECB. Unlike Lane's candidacy, that of the current Spanish Finance Minister is, to an extent, more political. Gualtieri did, however, say that both candidates made a “good presentation”.
Even so, de Guindos starts off as favourite, a diplomatic source told us. France will, moreover, most probably support his candidacy, according to Reuters. Addressing the media on Wednesday evening, de Guindos said that he was “optimistic” for the outcome of the election, reiterating the importance of this post for Spain.
Gualtieri's press release also states that the members of the ECON committee regret the fact that no women put themselves forward, calling for a “more gender-balanced representation in the ECB”. The same source told us that the S&D and Greens/EFA groups had expressed particular concern at this lack of parity.
The Eurozone finance ministers are to take a position at the Eurogroup meeting to be held on Monday 19 February (see other article), ahead of the formal vote on a recommendation the following day at the Council meeting in 'Ecofin' format. Although the candidate theoretically needs the support of 14 states representing 65% of the population, the ministers would apparently prefer a consensus.
Following a further hearing in Parliament, the successful candidate will then be formally appointed by the heads of state or government of the EU at a session of the European Council. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)