European Union leaders have formally appointed Juergen Stark of Germany to the European Central Bank's executive board, an EU official said today.
Mr Stark's appointment was completed by written procedure among the 25 EU governments last Friday after the European Parliament endorsed his candidacy on May 17.
Mr Stark (57), a monetary hawk and former deputy finance minister, has been vice president of the Bundesbank in charge of international relations.
ECB watchers say that although he will replace compatriot Otmar Issing, who has been the bank's chief economist, Mr Stark is unlikely to inherit that informal role, as the economics portfolio is likely to go to Vice President Lukas Papademos.