(MENAFN- AFP)Spanish Economy Minister Luis de Guindos said Wednesday he was "convinced" he will have enough support to clinch the post of European Central Bank vice president after Madrid officially nominated him for the job.
Spain, the eurozone's fourth-largest economy, is competing against Ireland, which last week put forward its central bank governor Philip Lane for the job.
Portugal's Vitor Constancio's term in the post expires in May. His replacement is being watched closely in European capitals as it is the first in a series of changes due at the top of the ECB over the coming two years, including the post of the chief of the bank currently held by Italian Mario Draghi.
"I am convinced that we have a lot of support and that Spain will get this post," De Guindos, 58, told a news conference after the Spanish government announced it was nominating him for the job.
De Guindos defended his candidacy, saying he was the longest-serving member of the Eurogroup, which groups eurozone finance ministers.
He has served as economy minister since Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's conservative government came to power in 2011.
As economy minister he oversaw the clean-up of Spain's banking industry with the European rescue funds Madrid was forced to ask for in 2012. In exchange Spain had to impose tough austerity measures to reduce the county's public deficit.
Before entering the government, De Guindos led the Iberian unit of Lehman Brothers between 2006 and 2008 before the investment bank collapsed.
Spain's main opposition socialists said they did not support his candidacy, arguing his background in politics makes him unsuitable for the job and urged the nomination of a woman to the job instead.
De Guindos said he would quit his post as economy minister if he got the post and stressed he has always defended the independence of the European Central Bank.
"I have done it as minister and I would continue to do it if I am selected," he added.
Wednesday was the deadline for countries to name their candidates, and eurozone finance ministers will vote on February 19. The European Council will decide on his successor on March 22-23.
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