The Board of Governors of the European Central Bank (ECB) raised no objection to the appointment of Christine Lagarde, the current Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as President of the ECB, in an opinion published on Thursday 25 July.
This opinion follows the appointment of Ms Lagarde as a candidate proposed by European leaders to succeed Mario Draghi on last 2 July, in the context of the delicate negotiations on the European Union's high functions (see EUROPE 12287/1).
"She’ll be an outstanding president of the ECB", Mr Draghi said at a press conference on the same day (see other news). In particular, he referred to the collegial decision-making processes similar to those of the IMF and the ECB.
The ‘Ecofin’ Council of the EU (Economic and Financial Affairs) also adopted a formal recommendation in favour of the appointment of Ms Lagarde on 9 July (see EUROPE 12291/5). The European Parliament must also adopt an opinion.
Only then will the European Council take a final decision, so that the current Managing Director of the IMF will take over the institution for a period of 8 years, starting on 1 November. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)