Way clear for Lane’s ECB appointment

Lane’s appointment sets the stage for a bigger succession contest

Philip Lane, governor of the Central Bank of Ireland

Philip Lane is poised to become the next European Central Bank chief economist after no contenders emerged to challenge the Irishman’s claim on one of the key monetary policy jobs available in the euro area this year.

The Irish central bank governor was the only declared candidate after a deadline to field bids passed yesterday, according to Eurogroup president Mario Centeno. Lane’s appointment would give Ireland its first seat on the ECB’s executive ...