Spain’s economy minister confirms her candidacy for the presidency

2023-08-12 14:42:00

While the appointment of the next president of the European Investment Bank is soon to take place, the Spanish Minister of Economy, Nadia Calviño, announced this Saturday that she will be the candidate of her country.

The European Union regrets that the commercial dialogue with China has not “progressed” in four years

“It is a great honor and pride that our country can present a strong candidacy and that it has a great chance for, for the first time in its history, to win the presidency of the European Investment Bank (EIB) “, Ms. Calviño told the press from Cádiz (southwest of the country).

Created in 1958, the EIB, whose headquarters are in Luxembourg, provides funding for projects that contribute to achieving the objectives of the European Union, both within and outside it “, Indicates the institution on its web page.

Two women in competition

Calviño, 54, who is also first vice-president of the Spanish government in office, will compete with big names, not yet confirmed, such as the European Commissioner in charge of Competition, Margrethe Vestager, who will represent Denmark or the President of the European Council Charles Michel, who will represent Belgium.

The successor to the German Werner Hoyer at the head of the institution will be appointed in mid-September, during a meeting of European Ministers of Economy and Finance (Ecofin) in the Spanish city of Saint-Jacques- de-Compostelle (north-west).

A strategic institution for Europe

This appointment is important for the future of the European Union. Stéphane Séjourné, president of the (centrist) Renew group in the European Parliament, recently indicated that this position might now be part of the EU’s “top jobs” package, along with the presidencies of the Commission, Parliament, of the European Council, or even of the Eurogroup and the function of High Representative for Foreign Affairs.

The EIB is notably at the center of European investments on energy transition or support for Ukraine and many others.

More concretely, in July, for example, the organization lent 300 million euros to the company specializing in sustainable mobility ALD LeasePlan, to continue accelerating the growth of the group’s hybrid and electric vehicle fleets. The same month, the EIB also granted a credit of 30 million euros to Malagasy companies so that they invest in the electrification of the country and its food autonomy.

(With AFP)