German central bank chief Axel Weber has refused to comment on whether he has dropped out of the race to become the European Central Bank's next president.
Weber told reporters on the sidelines of a conference in Vienna that he had spoken to German Chancellor Angela Merkel. 'I promised her that I would not make any comment on the matter until we've both met and talked again. We will take all the necessary decisions in close consultation. There is nothing more to say on the matter,' he said.
Recent media reports have suggested that Weber has thrown in the towel to replace Frenchman Jean-Claude Trichet as head of the ECB when the latter steps late this year.
Several newspapers have said that Weber, a leading candidate to become the next head of the world's second most powerful central bank, decided to drop out of the race because of a lack of clear support from the German government.
German newspaper reports said Merkel dissuaded Weber from officially announcing his decision yesterday to gain time to organise his replacement.
Weber is known for his brusque manner and has irritated European Union leaders with outspoken opposition to ECB purchases of euro zone government debt - an unconventional tool used to help weaker euro zone member states.
