Economic policy – Australian ex-finance minister Cormann is to become head of the OECD

Former Australian Finance Minister Mathias Cormann is slated to become the new Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). As reported on Friday from those around the organization, a slim majority of the ambassadors of the OECD member states voted in favor of the 50-year-old. He ended up in the favor of the body in front of the former EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström.

The OCED, headquartered in Paris, includes 37 countries, in addition to Austria and other EU countries, these include the USA, Japan, Israel, Turkey and Mexico. Every year, the OECD writes around 500 international reports on everything from refugee policy to economic forecasts. Controversial issues such as an international digital tax are also being negotiated at the OECD level.

Cormann takes over from José Ángel Gurría, the Mexican has held the chair since 2006 and is leaving the post in May. The Australian resigned from parliament for the planned post at the OECD last year. (afp)