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Washington - The United States supports French Finance
Minister Christine Lagarde to take over as the new chief of the International
Monetary Fund (IMF), Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Tuesday.
The US endorsement virtually seals a win for Lagarde over
Mexico's central bank governor Agustin Carstens, whom Geithner commended for
having put up a "strong and credible candidacy".
Geithner said Lagarde's "exceptional talent and broad
experience will provide invaluable leadership for this indispensable
institution at a critical time for the global economy".
On Tuesday, Russia also said it would vote for Lagarde, its
Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin told reporters.
Russia's official announcement of support for Lagarde comes
on the day when the 24-strong IMF board of member countries meets to try to
reach a consensus on the issue of leadership without driving the matter to a
formal vote.
Lagarde is set to replace Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who
resigned as IMF chief last month after being charged with attempting to rape a
New York hotel maid. He denies the allegations.
"We will vote for her candidacy," Kudrin said,
adding that she would be able to "secure reform of the IMF in the
interests of developing markets".
The race has been one of the most hotly contested in IMF
history, with developing countries trying to secure more influence over the
direction and structure of the global lender.
An informal survey by Reuters of voting countries indicated
Lagarde should easily get the majority support needed.
The announcement of support comes after Prime Minister Vladimir
Putin said Lagarde was competent and would make the organisation a good leader.
