Posts
Shakour Shaalan, the IMF Executive Board's dean, predicts the board will select a new managing director...by 30 June.
Meanwhile the jockeying for the top job just became a little clearer...after Brasil's FM Guido Mantegna announced his nation would back the EU candidate--a huge reversal of position.
Brasil has been one of the most vocal advocates...for a new emerging nations IMF chief.
The USA has been trying hard...to appear neutral.
But Mexico is reportedly considering nominating its c.banker Augustin Carstens.
Clearly in the lead however...is France's FM Cristine Lagarde, 55 (above).
Italy, Sweden and now reportedly Austria...are backing Lagarde.
Angela Merkel has lauded...but not yet openly supported her.
"Christine Lagarde has outstanding credentials,”said Swedish FM Anders Borg.
Her sex is an “advantage”since “half of the world has not been represented as managing director”of the IMF, he said.
One observer claims Lagarde is now the “odds-on” favorite for the job after being a “20-1 outsider when betting began.”
Yet there is a significant blip that must be resolved...a two-decades dispute involving a supporter of President Sarkozy and a settlement of nearly $600 mn usd paid to him by the French taxpayers...that was approved by Lagarde.
