Overview

• The secret ballot begins around 5 p.m. Brussels time and requires a simple majority of 11 votes from the 20 eurozone ministers.
• Incumbent Paschal Donohoe is favoured by the six PPE-affiliated ministers plus additional conservative and liberal supporters.
• Spain’s Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo has public backing from Slovakia and a coalition of reform-minded peers but lacks a clear numerical edge.
• Socialist ministers’ votes are divided between Cuerpo and Lithuania’s Rimantas Sadzius, who is expected to withdraw if he finishes last in the first round.
• Cuerpo’s campaign highlights proposals like a European Competitiveness Lab and streamlined administrative regimes to boost institutional agility.