17/02/2020 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 17 February, the Finance Ministers of the euro area validated the proposal of the Eurogroup working group to be chaired by Finland's Tuomas Saarenheimo for two years, starting on 1 April (see EUROPE 12421/20). Mr Saarenheimo will also serve as the President of the Economic and Financial Committee, the EU Council's expert working group that prepares the Ecofin Council. It is believed that the appointment of a Finn to head the Eurogroup working group, replacing the Dutchman Hans Vijlbrief, recently appointed to his country's government (see EUROPE 12414/21), will have an influence on the election this summer of the future president of the Eurogroup, if Mr Centeno does not stand for re-election. A minister from a southern European country would thus have a better chance of being elected by his or her peers. (MB)