Former finance minister Mathias Cormann named OECD chief

Australia’s former finance minister Mathias Cormann has been elected as the new head of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) sources close to the group that advises advanced economies told AFP.

The 51-year-old politician was chosen “by a slim majority” during a meeting of ambassadors of the 37-nation OECD based in Paris on Friday.

Previously the Coalition senator was Australia’s longest-serving finance minister but Mr Cormann quit parliament late last year to seek this role.

His candidacy was dogged by complaints from environmental groups that his record on climate change did not qualify him for the OECD job.

He emerged as a surprise frontrunner, and beat out fellow top contender, Sweden’s Cecilia Malmstrom — a…