Spain is pushing for a European to head the FAO for the first time in more than five decades, making the bid a strategic diplomatic play as well as a personnel choice.
Planas has served in Pedro Sanchez's cabinet since June 2018 and is the European Union's longest-serving agriculture minister, giving him a long record in farm and food policy.
The move would place one of Spain's most senior ministers at the helm of the world's largest food agency if his candidacy succeeds.
Will Europe's internal rivalry cost its 50-year ambition to lead the world's top food agency?
What will it take for Western candidates to win over the decisive 134-nation G77 voting bloc for the FAO leadership?
As the US seeks to lead both the FAO and WFP, is this a strategic power play or a diplomatic overreach?