Former Dutch finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem may stay on as chairman of the influential Eurogroup for several more months, broadcaster NOS said on Tuesday.

Although his successor is due to be elected next week, a number of countries want to delay the vote until after the German political impasse is solved and Italy also wants a delay, NOS said, quoting Austrian newspaper Die Presse.

Italy goes to the polls in four months time and current finance minister Pier Carlo Padoan is a strong candidate to succeed Dijsselbloem if re-elected.

Slovakia too is known to be unhappy at last week’s vote on a new home for the European Medicines Agency and there is a risk that it too may want a delay, NOS said. Its finance minister Peter Kazimir is one potential successor to Dijsselbloem but does not have sufficient support.

Applicants for the job have until the end of this week and the vote will take place on December 4. France’s Bruno Le Maire has also been tipped for the role.

Dijsselbloem has declined to comment on the rumours but, NOS said, will consider any request to stay on seriously.