Horse-trading begins for Eurogroup chairmanship

Brussels

AS Jeroen Dijsselbloem's turbulent reign over euro-area finance ministers' meetings comes to an end, horse-trading for his succession between the bloc's countries and political groups is about to heat up.

Following a nearly five-year stint at the helm of the Eurogroup, Mr Dijsselbloem's future has been in flux since March, when his party's electoral defeat threw the remainder of his tenure into question. Still, helped by lengthy coalition talks in the Hague, the absence of an obvious successor and his widely appreciated deal brokering skills, the Dutchman has managed to hold on to his post until January when his term expires.