PASCHAL Donohoe has been appointed President of the Eurogroup for a third successive term.
It comes after the US pushed this week’s deadline for the end of its “pause” on higher EU tariffs to August 1.
The Finance Minister was the only candidate for the role after the Spanish and Lithuanian nominees withdrew shortly before the vote.
Donohoe, 50, was “elected by consensus” for another two-and-a-half years, the Council of the European Union confirmed.
His new term will start on Sunday.
Tanaiste Simon Harris said: “I want to warmly welcome the re-election of Paschal as President of the Eurogroup and congratulate him on a significant personal achievement.
“The renewal of his mandate for a third term reflects the confidence and trust of his European colleagues and is a source of great pride for the Fine Gael party — and for Ireland.”
He added: “Paschal has brought clarity, integrity and a deep commitment to European cooperation during his two terms, guiding the Eurogroup through a period marked by economic uncertainty and global challenges.
“His pragmatic and consensus-driven approach has strengthened the Eurogroup’s role in promoting stability, sustainable growth, and sound economic governance across the euro area.
“I’m so proud that one of our own will continue to play such a central role in shaping the economic direction of the Eurozone. I want to wish him every success as he continues this important work.”
In a statement, Minister Donohoe said he was “very grateful to my fellow ministers for the trust they have placed in me to continue leading our important work for a third term”.
He said: “In the face of significant geopolitical changes, the euro area has proven to be very resilient.
“It will be my task to further strengthen our common currency area and facilitate tangible progress on our key work streams during this next mandate – from budgetary coordination to the Capital Markets Union, and from the digital euro to the Banking Union.”
In his candidacy letter, Mr Donohoe said the global economy is “at a pivotal juncture”.
He added: “We now have the opportunity to overcome our differences, find compromises and make progress.”
Meanwhile, speaking after a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Taoiseach Micheal Martin today said he is anticipating a “framework agreement” between the EU and US to be agreed.
US President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order creating the new deadline.
Mr Martin also posted congratulations to Mr Donohoe on X.
He said: “Congratulations @Paschald on your re-election as President of the Eurogroup for a third term.
“An important and experienced voice for Europe at a time of global economic uncertainty.”
