The Spanish government said it has put forward former central bank chief Pablo Hernandez de Cos as a candidate to succeed Christine Lagarde as president of the European Central Bank, according to a letter seen by Reuters.
“I am confident that Pablo would bring to the ECB the same steady hand and inspiring leadership he demonstrated at the Bank of Spain, where his commitment to greater transparency and closer engagement with the public marked a turning point for the institution”, Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Carlos Cuerpo said in a letter sent to Eurogroup president Kyriakos Pierrakakis.
De Cos is widely seen as one of the leading candidates for the job, together with former Dutch central bank chief Klaas Knot.
Earlier this week, the Dutch government put forward its former central bank chief Knot as a candidate to succeed Ms Lagarde.
Countries that use the euro have been asked to name their candidates to become the next president of the European Central Bank by today.
Finance ministers from the euro countries will consider the nominations at a meeting on November 9.
ECB President Christine Lagarde said last week she would step down in February, eight months before her term was due to expire.
Her successor will be appointed by EU countries, based on a recommendation by the countries that use the euro.
