Parliament’s Committee on state-owned enterprises, banks, public utility enterprises and social security agencies on Wednesday approved the appointment of Yannis Stournaras as the new governor of the Bank of Greece.

The former Greek finance minister’s candidacy was approved with 10 votes in favour, seven against and one abstention.

Votes in favour were cast by the two ruling coalition parties, New Democracy and PASOK, while main opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA), Golden Dawn and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) voted against.

The Democratic Left (DIM.AR) MP Yiannis Panoussis abstained and independent MP Nikos Nikolopoulos was not present.

It should be noted that Mr Stournaras was accompanied by the new Minister of Finance, Mr. Gikas Hardouvelis, who proposed his appointment.