Christine Lagarde: “Yes, I am candidate for a second term” – Le Point

“Yes, I am candidate for a second term,” said Christine Lagarde on France 2, from Davos, where she participated in the World Economic Forum (WEF). She had taken the reins of the financial institution in 2011 in the crash of Dominique Strauss-Kahn scandal. “I had the honor to receive support from the initiation of the procedure,” she has said, following the opening of the filing of nominations for his succession, with special reference to France, Great -Bretagne, Germany and China. At six months of the end of his first term, she recalled that the United States, the main shareholder of the IMF and whose support is indispensable, used to communicate their position at the end of the process.

However, she cited recent statements in favor of the administration of President Barack Obama. “The words of the Vice President (Joe Biden) US the other day in his public intervention were extremely appreciative and almost embarrassing, and the Secretary of the Treasury (Jack Lew) hoped to continue working with me “she said. “I think it is difficult for the US to do more at this stage,” said Christine Lagarde, who has just turned 60 years old. It was already several times in the past called “open” to the idea of ​​a new mandate. “I am ready to serve,” she said in October in Lima during the general assembly of the IMF.

The Finance Minister Michel Sapin, stressed that France “proposed” the Christine Lagarde candidacy. “I think it’s a good thing. She also considerable support from many other nations, “he said during a trip in the Loiret. The European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Pierre Moscovici called Christine Lagarde “excellent director of the IMF.” “If she continued to be, we would be happy to continue to cooperate with it,” he said.

“In the interest of my country”

The candidacy of the former French Minister of the Economy could however be hampered by his dismissal in December before the French courts for his

“negligence” in the supposed case of arbitration rendered in favor of Bernard Tapie on the sale Adidas by Credit Lyonnais. Asked about the matter, she repeats “acting in the interest of the state, according to the law.” “I have my conscience for me in this case. I hope that justice, at the end of the procedure, as long and painful as it is, will agree, “she said, recalling that his lawyers had” appealed against this decision. ” “It will be up to judges to decide, not only to them but also to representatives of Parliament, since it is a Republic of justice court may hear the case if the appeal is inadmissible,” said the IMF boss. Asked if she had acted “on orders from the Elysee”, she avoided answering this question.

Despite this case, however, the ruling in December received the support of the Board IMF who said he was “confident” in its ability to perform its functions in spite of these legal hassles. The final decision on his candidacy will be taken by the beginning of March on the basis of consensus by the IMF Board, the institution’s management body which has 24 members representing 188 Member States.

The unspoken rule reserving IMF management to a European also makes it unlikely candidacy a push by a large emerging country. From the perspective of a new mandate, Ms. Lagarde may claim a rather flattering assessment after the IMF restored the institution’s crest and unlocked a major reform of its governance. Under its mandate, the Fund will, however, failed to prevent the biggest default in history with Greece and was accused of political exploitation by providing support to Ukraine.