10/11/2020 (Agence Europe) – After hearing the candidate the day before, the European Parliament Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) gave the green light on Tuesday 10 November (33 votes in favour, 21 against and 3 abstentions) to the appointment of Dutchman Frank Elderson as a member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank (ECB), where he will succeed Luxembourger Yves Mersch, who will leave the post in mid-December (see EUROPE 12574/5). In a statement issued after the vote, the Chair of ECON Committee, Irene Tinagli (S&D, Italy) nevertheless reiterated the European Parliament’s concerns about the lack of gender balance in the ECB's appointment procedures. The Greens/EFA Group, has publicly confirmed that it voted against Mr Elderson, despite his expertise, for this very reason. The European Parliament is only consulted as part of this procedure. The final vote will take place at the plenary session held at the end of November. (MF)