Politics · Spain · 2 hrs ago
Spain actively backs Hernández de Cos for European Central Bank presidency
Spain is actively backing Pablo Hernández de Cos to become the next president of the European Central Bank, Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said.
Hernández de Cos is a former governor of Spain’s central bank and now leads the Bank for International Settlements.
Spain has never held the ECB presidency, while countries including Italy, France and the Netherlands have had the post.
Cuerpo said Spain’s economic performance and role in European discussions strengthen its bid.
Dutch former central bank governor Klaas Knot is a leading rival, with reported support from France and Germany.
EU member states will decide who gets the post as the current president’s term approaches its end; one account says that is about a year away.
Spain is actively backing Pablo Hernández de Cos for the presidency of the European Central Bank, Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said.
Cuerpo said Hernández de Cos has a chance of winning and that the government is pushing his candidacy very actively.
He said Spain has an excellent opportunity and argued that the country’s economic performance and role in European discussions support its bid.
Hernández de Cos is a former governor of the Bank of Spain and now leads the Bank for International Settlements.
The articles identify former Dutch central bank governor Klaas Knot as a rival, with France and Germany reportedly looking favourably on his candidacy.
- Who
- Spain’s government, represented by Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo, is backing Pablo Hernández de Cos.
- What
- The government is actively supporting Hernández de Cos’s bid to become president of the European Central Bank.
- When
- Cuerpo made the remarks on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Where
- The remarks were made in an interview with RNE. The presidency is at the European Central Bank.
- Why
- Cuerpo said Spain has an excellent opportunity, supported by its economic performance and central role in European discussions, and that it is time for Spain to hold the post.
Spain’s Hernández de Cos bid
Klaas Knot’s bid
Candidate
Spain’s Hernández de Cos bid
Spain is actively backing Hernández de Cos, whom Cuerpo called an excellent candidate with a chance of winning.
Klaas Knot’s bid
Knot, the former governor of the Dutch central bank, is described as a direct rival with a strong reputation and experience in monetary policy.
Reported support
Spain’s Hernández de Cos bid
Cuerpo cited Spain’s economic performance and role in European discussions as strengths.
Klaas Knot’s bid
The article says France and Germany reportedly view Knot favourably, and that he has secured support among some EU member states.
Luis de Guindos left the ECB’s six-member Executive Board, leaving Spain without representation on it, according to El Periódico.
Cuerpo said the government was actively working to secure the ECB presidency for Hernández de Cos.
The ECB chief economist’s position is due to become vacant, according to El Periódico.
- Candidate
- Pablo Hernández de Cos
- Current role
- Director general of the Bank for International Settlements
- Previous role
- Governor of the Bank of Spain
- Government position
- Actively backing his candidacy, according to Carlos Cuerpo
- Named rival
- Klaas Knot, former governor of the Dutch central bank
- ECB chief economist vacancy
- May 2027
3 sources
What people are saying
We believe he does have a chance, and that is why we are pushing very actively
an excellent window of opportunity
the central role Spain is playing in all European discussions