Brussels, 23/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - Although the Council has already stated its preference for the nomination of Austrian national Gertrude Tumpel-Guggerell to succeed Sirkka Hamalainen on the Executive Board of the European Central Bank (see EUROPE of 18 April, p.10, and 16 April, p.10), Belgium is very likely to maintain the candidature of Paul de Grauwe for this post until the national legislative elections on 18 May. "De Grauwe is still our candidate", a spokesperson for Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt said on Wednesday. "The candidacy of De Grauwe is maintained until the final choice is made by the Heads of State in the second half of May and this final phase will be held after the Belgian elections", Belgian sources say. The definitive choice falls upon the Heads of State and/or Government who must take a unanimous stance. At this stage, Belgium could block the process by requesting a senior position at the ECB.