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Can Spain win the top job at the European Central Bank?
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Spain has made its move. The government in Madrid has formally put forward Pablo Hernández de Cos for the European Central Bank presidency. Only one rival so far: Klaas Knot of the Netherlands.
Madrid
Hernández de Cos, a former Banco de España governor now at the BIS, sat on the ECB's Governing Council. Economy minister Carlos Cuerpo was direct: Pablo Hernández de Cos is an exceptional candidate, with international standing and a career that demonstrates leadership, independence and capacity for dialogue.
“Pablo Hernández de Cos is an exceptional candidate, with international standing and a career that demonstrates leadership, independence and capacity for dialogue.”
The euro area has 21 member states, and a decision needs 16 of them, representing more than 65% of the population.
21
= 1 member state
- needed for a decision16
Spain filed on 6 November. The next deciding moment is the leaders' summit in December, when the name could be announced.
- 6 NovemberSpain files nominee
- December 2026Coming upLeaders' summit decides
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Spain formally nominates Pablo Hernández de Cos to succeed Lagarde at the ECBRead the article
Based on reports by
- eldiario.esThe Government officially presents the candidacy of Pablo Hernández de Cos for the presidency of the ECB
- ABC TU DIARIO EN ESPAÑOLSpain formally presents the candidacy of Pablo Hernández de Cos for the presidency of the European Central Bank
- LaVanguardiaSpain officially proposes Pablo Hernández de Cos to preside over the ECB
- El PeriódicoSpain officially presents the candidacy of De Cos to preside over the ECB
- EL MUNDOCuerpo presents the candidacy of Hernández de Cos to preside over the ECB to the Eurogroup