08/03/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 8 March, the Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) made no objections to the appointment of former Spanish Finance Minister Luis de Guindos to the vice-presidency of the monetary institute, stressing his “recognised standing and professional experience in monetary banking matters”. In late February, the Eurozone finance ministers recommended this appointment to the European Council with a view to a decision at the end of March, to replace Portugal's Vitor Constâncio, whose term in office expires at the end of May (see EUROPE 11965). The competent committee of the European Parliament has also approved the decision (see EUROPE 11970). When asked about the fact that the position goes once again to a man, the President of the ECB, Draghi, recognised on this International Women's Day, that the monetary institute needed to up its gender equality game. (LT)