While no shortlist of names has yet been drawn up, informal discussions by the French, German, Italian and British Finance Ministers, alongside the G7, on the succession of Christine Lagarde of France to head the International Monetary Fund (IMF), have provided a process and a timetable.
The ministers have asked France - which currently holds the G7 Presidency - to lead talks with all EU countries in order to reach a consensus on a single candidate (see EUROPE 12298/28). "France will continue to coordinate these efforts so that we can reach a consensus on a candidate, I hope by the end of July", said French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire at a press conference on Thursday 18 July.
Noting that he was not himself a candidate for the post, the Minister indicated that his objective was to "achieve a consensus on a European candidate, who would be a solid, credible candidate and allow Europe to continue to lead the IMF".
Asked at a press conference about the support of a European candidate by the United States, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin recalled the informal agreement that traditionally gives the Presidency of the World Bank to his country and the Presidency of the IMF to the EU.
In doing so, he assured that, as in the past, the United States will work closely with Europeans on this issue, hoping for an appointment "as soon as possible". (Original version in French by Marion Fontana)