Ireland is backing Bank of Greece governor Mr Lucas Papademos as the next vice president of the European Central Bank, the Department of Finance said today.
Mr Papademos is the front-runner to replace Frenchman Mr Christian Noyer, who steps down on May 31st. The other declared candidate is Belgian academic and politician Mr Paul de Grauwe.
Ireland is supporting Mr Papademos, a finance department spokesman said.
European finance ministers will discuss the appointment when they meet in Oviedo, in northern Spain, later this week. A proposal on the new ECB vice president is expected at the meeting or soon afterwards.