🏛️ Eurogroup selects new ECB vice-president amid competitive race

Oneliner

Mário Centeno has been appointed as the new vice-president of the European Central Bank, succeeding Luis de Guindos. The Eurogroup's vote on January 19, 2026, saw Centeno secure the necessary support from 72% of eurozone member states. The selection process featured six candidates, with Centeno and Mārtiņš Kazāks emerging as frontrunners. This appointment is expected to significantly influence Eurozone monetary policy as the region navigates economic challenges.

Key points

• Mário Centeno appointed as the new ECB vice-president, succeeding Luis de Guindos.
• Centeno secured the necessary support from 72% of eurozone member states.
• The selection process involved six candidates, with Centeno and Kazāks as frontrunners.
• The decision impacts Eurozone monetary policy and institutional representation.

Links

• RTP: Eurogrupo escolhe vice-presidente do BCE, Mário Centeno é um dos candidatos
• RTP: Ministros do euro escolhem hoje novo 'vice' do BCE e Centeno é um dos candidatos
• ECO: Eurogrupo escolhe hoje vice-presidente do BCE em corrida incerta
• ECO: Sarmento vê eleição de Centeno para o BCE como "bastante difícil", mas mantém "alguma esperança"
• Público: Miranda Sarmento acha "difícil" a eleição de Centeno para a vice-presidência do BCE
• Diário de Notícias: Os trunfos de Centeno no BCE: tem a simpatia de Lagarde; e Alemanha, França e Itália preferem a presidência
• ANSA: Pierrakakis, 'consenso in Eurogruppo su obiettivi, serve rapidità' - Altre news - Ansa.it
• Jornal de Negócios: BCE: Sarmento antecipa "eleição muito difícil" para Centeno

Facts

• Mário Centeno appointed as ECB vice-president on January 19, 2026.
• Centeno received support from at least 16 of the 21 eurozone countries.
• Luis de Guindos' term as vice-president ends in May 2025.
• The selection process involved six candidates.

Quotes

• We have received six excellent candidates. This is an unprecedented level of interest, but I believe we have the institutional maturity to take concrete steps starting today in order to converge on a single candidate. — Kyriakos Pierrakakis

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