European Parliament rejects candidate for ECB top postOctober 25, 2012 - 15:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Parliament has rejected Luxembourg's top central banker to a post at the European Central Bank in protest at the lack of women among the top leadership of the bank, The Associated Press reported. The unprecedented rejection came during Thursday's vote at the legislature in Strasbourg, France, where 325 parliamentarians voted against the appointment of Yves Mersch, 25 more those who voted in favor. There were 49 abstentions. The chairwoman of the monetary affairs committee says the gender imbalance needs more than just "talk and promises." The ECB currently has no women among its top leadership. Despite the vote, Europe's parliamentarians cannot block Mersch's nomination for a seat on the six-member ECB executive board. The vote is only advisory. The board runs the bank day to day from Frankfurt, Germany. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |