Greece’s Ministry of National Economy and Finance previews Eurogroup priorities for 2026 and steps toward a single ECB vice-president candidate

Greece’s Minister of National Economy and Finance, in his capacity as President of the Eurogroup, issued a pre-meeting statement in Brussels outlining the Eurogroup’s initial 2026 agenda, including discussion of the euro area’s 2026 recommendations and the start of a process to converge on a single candidate for Vice-President of the European Central Bank. The minister reiterated a consensus set of political priorities for the period ahead, citing the Savings and Investment Union, completion of the Single Market, strengthening of the Union’s fiscal foundations and the digital euro. The Eurogroup is also set to welcome Bulgaria as a full member for the first time following its entry on 1 January, with a briefing from Bulgaria’s finance minister on the transition, and to receive input from the European Commission on euro area recommendations for 2026 alongside a short update linked to the G7 presidency, which France holds this year. On the ECB vice-president appointment, the statement noted six nominations and indicated the Eurogroup intends to take steps at this meeting toward identifying a single candidate, with the chair planning to report outcomes later at a press conference.