Germany and France Near Deal on Next ECB President
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Germany and France are working on a deal about the European Central Bank, or ECB. The ECB is the bank that controls money for countries that use the euro.
The two countries want to agree on new leaders for the bank. Pablo Hernández de Cos is the favourite to become the next president.
Germany's leader, Friedrich Merz, wants to finish the deal next week. He said some agreements are almost ready.
Hernández de Cos is from Spain. He is well known in economics, the study of money and business.
The European Union, or EU, will also take an important step this week. On Wednesday, EU leaders will try to help solve the problem about who leads the ECB.
People in Europe are watching this story closely. The ECB is very powerful. It decides about money, prices, and banks in many countries.
If Hernández de Cos becomes president, it will be a big change. Many people think he is a strong and smart leader.
The final decision is not made yet. But many signs show a deal is close.
Vocabulary4 words
- European Central Bank
- the bank that controls money for euro countries
- euro
- the money used in many European countries
- economics
- the study of money, jobs, and business
- European Union
- a group of European countries working together
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Quiz
Answer key
1. A bank that controls money for euro countries 2. Pablo Hernández de Cos 3. True
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Germany and France are working on a _____ about the European Central Bank.
The ECB is the bank that controls _____ for countries that use the euro.
Pablo Hernández de Cos is the _____ to become the next president.
Germany's leader, Friedrich Merz, wants to _____ the deal next week.
He said some agreements are almost _____.
Hernández de Cos is from _____.
The European Union will take an important _____ this week.
On Wednesday, EU leaders will try to solve the _____ about who leads the ECB.
The ECB decides about money, prices, and _____ in many countries.
The final decision is not made _____.
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