Croatia’s Boris Vujcic is closing in on the European Central Bank’s vice presidency, having advanced past two rounds of voting by euro-area finance ministers. His only remaining opponent is Olli Rehn of Finland, setting up a final diplomatic tussle for the influential post.

The position carries significant weight in Frankfurt, where the vice president helps shape monetary policy for the 20-nation currency bloc. Vujcic’s potential appointment would mark a milestone for Croatia, which joined the EU in 2013 and is still outside the eurozone. Rehn, a former EU commissioner, brings deep Brussels experience.

The final decision rests with euro-area leaders, who must balance national interests with the need for a cohesive policy team. The outcome will signal how the bloc views expanding its leadership beyond its core founding members, with implications for future ECB governance and regional influence.