Brussels, 06/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - The first permanent president of the Eurogroup, Jean-Claude Juncker, is to give up his post at the end of the year. Appointed in September 2004, Mr Juncker's tenure was renewed for a further two years in September 2006, and will come to an end on 31 December 2008. His successor is due to be designated on the sidelines of the informal Ecofin meeting in Nice, on 12 and 13 September. Although Didier Reynders refuses to campaign for the post, he has said that he is “available” if a consensus is reached in the Eurogroup. The Belgian finance minister has a “strong interest” in the matter, but is “not a candidate”, circles close to him say. On the side of the Luxembourg prime minister, it is felt to be quite “natural” that the post should be given to the Belgian minister who is, after Mr Juncker, the most senior member of the Eurogroup. Experience is not, however, a “sufficient condition”, Mr Reynders' spokesperson says. Other names in mind are the former European commissioner for economic and monetary affairs and the current Spanish finance minister, Pedro Solbes, who is not insensitive to the idea of succeeding Juncker. His Dutch counterpart, Wouter Bos, has not yet clarified his position, and his spokesperson has refused for now to confirm or refute his intention to run for the post. (A.B./transl. jl)