FRANKFURT (MNI) – Eurogroup head Jean-Claude Juncker may stay in
his position for longer than previously expected, German news agency DPA
reported on Tuesday, citing a letter from European Council President
Herman Van Rompuy to EU heads of state and government and an unnamed EU
source.
“A letter from summit president Herman Van Rompuy to EU heads of
state and government suggests that the Eurogroup chief will continue to
be needed for the reform efforts of the currency union in the current
year,” the agency wrote.
While the letter does not cite Juncker by name, an EU source
confirmed that Van Rompuy is referring to Juncker in his letter, DPA
said.
Juncker’s post is part of a greater Eurozone personnel package deal
that also includes the top position at the permanent bailout fund, ESM,
and a vacant seat on the European Central Bank’s Executive Board.
The ECB board seat has been widely expected to go to Luxembourg
Central Bank Governor Yves Mersch. But since both Mersch and Juncker are
from the same small country, a decision by the Eurogroup president to
stay put could potentially complicate matters for his fellow countryman
to accede to such a senior ECB post.
–Frankfurt newsroom +49 69 72 01 42; e-mail jtreeck@marketnews.com
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