The Government chooses de Guindos as Spanish candidate for the ECB

Luis de Guindos, Spanish Economy Minister since 2011 is Rajoy's nominee for the ECB vice presidency. He aspires to replace current vice president Vitor Constancio, whose term ends on July the 1st. For the position, he will compete with Ireland's Central Bank governor, Philip Lane.

De Guindos already tried to lead the Eurogroup in 2015, but Dutchman Jerome Dijsselbloem was reelected. This time he feels more confident: "We have all the supports to reach the vice presidency", he has stated. If he does, he will immediately resign as Economy Minister.

Guindos' nomination has been harshly criticized by opposition parties since they preferred a woman for the position and consider Guindos' profile too politicized.