Nieuwe ECB-post inzet van strijd tussen grote en kleine lidstaten (en)

EUOSERVER / BRUSSELS - A row is developing between large and small EU states over who should be appointed to the powerful executive board of the European Central Bank (ECB).

One of the members of the six-member board, Eugenio Domingo Solans - from Spain - is due to step down at the end of May and the appointment of his successor has become politically charged.

Italy, Germany and France are backing another Spaniard for the job - Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo, even though candidates from Ireland and Belgium have been put forward and the Treaty states that the post must rotate.

In backing Mr Gonzalez-Paramo, the big countries are hoping to enshrine the principle that a big country should always have a seat on the board.

The appointment is significant because member states with a representative on the executive board have two votes on how interest rates in the 12 country euro zone develop.

The President of the ECB, Jean-Claude Trichet said in a press conference last week that the "professional qualifications" of the candidate would be the only criterion taken into account but political wrangling is expected to take over.

The issue was discussed at a meeting of euro zone finance ministers on Monday (8 March) and they decided to postpone the vital appointment until the eve of the Spring summit, which begins on 25 March.

Köhler complications

Complicating the decision is the recent retirement of International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Horst Köhler, who has put his name forward to be German President.

Initial speculation focused on British finance minister Gordon Brown as a potential successor to the IMF post, but most analysts now believe that he is not likely to apply for the post.

This has left Spanish finance minister Rodrigo Rato as favourite.

And if Mr Rato clinches the IMF job, it will be harder for Spain to claim another top finance position at the ECB, opening the door for the Belgian or Irish candidates.

Ministers will also discuss the IMF post in a meeting today (9 March) that is almost certain to be relatively uneventful in comparison to recent spats over issues such as the Stability Pact and the value of the euro.

Also on their agenda is the preparation for the forthcoming EU summit on economic reform and the continuously vexed question of reduced rates of VAT which traditionally pits France against the Commission.