The Belgian government is backing Didier Reynders (Francophone liberal) for the post of secretary general of the Council of Europe. It’s the second time Mr Reynders, who currently serves as the Belgian on the European commission, tries to land this job that currently pays 215,000 euros a year.
The Council of Europe is an independent body set up in 1949 to scrutinise human rights observance and democracy in the 46 member and 6 observer states.
Mr Reynders announced his candidacy hours after the president of the European council, another Francophone liberal, Charles Michel, decided to leave his post early and stand for the European parliament.
The government has also decided to confirm the appointment of Pierre Wunsch as Belgium’s central banker for a further five years.