The Portuguese Government has confirmed it will announce the successor to Mário Centeno as the Governor of the Bank of Portugal (BdP) next week. This revelation came from Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, just a day before Centeno's term officially ends. Despite the looming deadline, there's no indication Centeno will be reappointed.
"The Government will make a decision next week," stated Miranda Sarmento during a press conference following the Council of Ministers meeting. When pressed about the delay in naming Centeno's successor and whether any candidates were being considered, the minister remained silent.
The selection process for the new central bank leader is being closely managed by the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister. The prolonged decision-making might stem from two possible scenarios, though officials have not confirmed any shift in strategy. One theory involves the reported rejection by former Finance Minister Vítor Gaspar, who has allegedly accepted a position at another institution after leaving the International Monetary Fund in November. Another possibility is that other approached candidates have declined the offer, with reports confirming some refusals.
Besides Gaspar, other names speculated to take over include economist Ricardo Reis from the London School of Economics (LSE) and Álvaro Santos Pereira, currently with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Mário Centeno is expected to remain in his role until September, despite his term concluding this Saturday. The BdP Governor will stay on until his successor is heard in Parliament, a process likely delayed until after the parliamentary recess.
(updated news)
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