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Dijsselbloem is candidate for 2nd term as euro group leader

Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem, center, speaks with journalists as he arrives for a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday, June 3, 2015. Dijsselbloem is Brussels on Wednesday joining discussions regarding the Greek bailout. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem, center, speaks with journalists as he arrives for a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday, June 3, 2015. Dijsselbloem is Brussels on Wednesday joining discussions regarding the Greek bailout. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

By Associated Press June 5, 2015 1 min read

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) – The Dutch government says Jeroen Dijsselbloem has submitted his candidacy for a second term as leader of the group of euro area finance ministers.

Deputy Prime Minister Lodewijk Asscher said Friday that Dijsselbloem, the country’s finance minister, is “the right man in the right place” to lead the euro group.

Ministers from the 17 European Union nations that use the euro vote for a new leader later this month.

Dijsselbloem was first elected in 2013 to replace Jean-Claude Juncker of Luxembourg, who held the job for eight years. He is expected to be challenged by Spain’s finance minister, Luis de Guindos.

Over the past two and a half years, Dijsselbloem has led efforts to keep the euro currency intact, particularly in tough negotiations with Greece about its financial bailout.