Mathias Cormann and Anna Diamantopoulou are one of four candidates left in the race to lead the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) after a second cull of candidates.
Ulrik Vestergaard Knudsen, currently serving as Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD, withdrew from the race on Wednesday.
The Greek and Australian leaders are now up against Swiss nominee Philipp Hildebrand, as well as Sweden’s candidate Cecilia Malmström, for the role of OECD Secretary-General.
READ MORE: RAAF jet flying Mathias Cormann around Europe as he campaigns for OECD job.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, sources at the Paris-based OECD have told them that Cormann and Malmström have the strongest support.
“Further consultations will take place in February, with a view to identifying collectively the candidate around whom consensus can be built,” the OECD said in a statement.
Established in 1961, the OECD is a Paris-based international organisation of 37 member states with market economies that aim to promote economic growth, prosperity and sustainable development.
A Cormann victory would be the first time the OECD has been led by someone from the increasingly important Asia-Pacific region. If Diamantopoulou was to claim the top job, she would become the first female to do so.
READ MORE ABOUT THE TWO CANDIDATES HERE: Greek and Australian candidates considered strong contenders for OECD post.
