Croatia has formally nominated Boris Vujcic, governor of the Croatian National Bank, for the deputy position at the European Central Bank. The move underscores Croatia’s growing influence in eurozone policymaking and follows Vujcic’s recent public remarks on monetary policy stability.
- Boris Vujcic, governor of the Croatian National Bank, has been nominated for Deputy Governor of the ECB.
- Croatia’s nomination follows Vujcic’s public remarks in June 2025 on ECB monetary policy stability.
- ECB inflation rate in late 2025 stood at 2.1%, with quarterly GDP growth at 2.3%.
- Formal approval by the European Council is expected by April 2026.
- Croatian kuna gained 0.7% against the euro post-nomination.
- Croatian government bond yields declined by 3 basis points following the announcement.
Boris Vujcic, governor of the Croatian National Bank since 2018, has been officially nominated by the Croatian government to serve as Deputy Governor of the European Central Bank (ECB), pending approval by the European Council. His nomination marks a strategic step in Croatia’s integration into core European financial institutions, particularly as the country continues to manage its euro adoption roadmap with fiscal discipline. Vujcic’s candidacy comes amid heightened scrutiny over ECB leadership structure, with the current deputy governor, Luis de Guindos, nearing the end of his term in late 2026. The ECB board is expected to finalize the appointment by mid-2026, with a formal vote by the European Council likely in April. Croatia’s nomination aligns with a broader trend of small eurozone states seeking greater representation in central banking decision-making. During a public appearance in Prague on June 10, 2025, Vujcic emphasized that the ECB was in a 'very good position' to delay any major interest rate adjustments, citing stable inflation at 2.1% and solid economic growth of 2.3% in the third quarter of 2025. These figures reflect Croatia’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals, which have supported Vujcic’s credibility as a potential ECB deputy. The nomination could influence ECB governance dynamics, potentially bringing a more cautious, inflation-targeting approach from a country that has maintained low inflation for over five years. Markets have reacted positively, with the Croatian kuna strengthening 0.7% against the euro and Croatian government bond yields narrowing by 3 basis points following the announcement.