Juncker ontkent vertrek bij Eurogroep (en)
Speculation about whether the eurogroup will continue to be chaired by Luxembourg prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker i has started up again following reports that he intends to step down as finance minister of the Grand Duchy, and therefore as head of the 16-nation group, after the general election on Sunday.
Newspaper reports in Luxembourg suggested that if the governing CSV – Mr Juncker's centre-right party – wins the elections on Sunday and Mr Juncker secures another term as prime minister then he will recommend budget minister Luc Frieden to the finance minister post.
Confirming the information, CSV leader Paul Weimerskirch told Reuters news agency on Thursday (4 June): "It's a surprise for us equally. We thought it was a rumour for a week, and he confirmed it last night."
However, Mr Juncker himself later told the same news agency that the move would "not necessarily imply" that he leaves the presidency of the Eurogroup.
"It could be but it is not compulsory," he said.
In April, German newspaper Handelsblatt newspaper, citing talk in Brussels diplomatic circles, reported for the first time that Mr Juncker may resign as a result of the series of run-ins he has had with EU heavy-weights France and Germany, most recently over tax havens.
Luxembourg's 54-year-old prime minister has headed the eurogroup since 1 January 2005.