Lagarde launches IMF candidacy

Christine Lagarde, the French Finance Minister, formally launched her bid to become the next managing director of the International Monetary Fund on the 25 May 2011.

Ms Lagarde, who had already won widespread support in Europe for her candidacy, said she considered her nationality neither 'a handicap, nor an advantage' in her bid for the top job in global finance.

Nonetheless, the growing consensus among industrialised countries around Ms Lagarde’s nomination sparked an open disagreement with emerging market countries who argue the leadership of the fund should no longer be reserved for a European.

ESO: Background information: Lagarde leads race for top IMF job http://www.europeansources.info/record/lagarde-leads-race-for-top-imf-job/

BBC News, 25.5.11: Christine Lagarde announces IMF candidacy http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13541143

Deutsche Welle, 25.5.11: France's Lagarde announces candidacy for IMF leadership http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15105792,00.html

France24, 25.5.11: French Finance Minister announces bid to head IMF http://www.france24.com/en/20110525-french-finance-minister-lagarde-announces-imf-head-candidacy

European Commission: Memo/11/341: Statement of President Barroso following the announcement of the candidacy of Mrs Christine Lagarde for the post of Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/341&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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