Mitsotakis Hints at Grand Bargain in ECB Appointments Process
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has suggested that the selection of three senior European Central Bank officials next year will involve a broader political agreement among eurozone countries.
The process of filling the positions of ECB President Christine Lagarde, Chief Economist Philip Lane, and Executive Board member Isabel Schnabel is expected to begin soon, as all three are due to leave next year. Schnabel has already decided to depart in early January, accelerating the process.
Mitsotakis stated that Greece will take a neutral approach to the appointments, noting that Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis chairs meetings of eurozone finance ministers. The selection process traditionally seeks to balance national representation with different monetary-policy positions and gender.
In related news, Mitsotakis highlighted growing interest from hedge funds in establishing operations in Athens. He attributed this interest to Greece's improved fiscal position and changes to its tax framework.