WASHINGTON — The United States balked Thursday at immediately backing a European to lead the International Monetary Fund, saying only that it wanted an open and prompt succession.
The resignation of Dominique Strauss-Kahn of France has set off a scramble to find a new leader for the powerful organization, which directs billions of dollars to troubled nations to stabilize the global economy.
Europe staked its traditional claim to the post. But fast-growing nations like China and Brazil said it was time to break that monopoly and seek an IMF chief from a developing country.
The United States, which has the largest share of votes for a single country, declined to publicly weigh in.
“We haven’t taken a position on any candidate,” said Lael Brainard, U.S. Treasury undersecretary for international affairs. “What is important at this juncture is that we move quickly to an open process.”
Brainard was responding to reports that the United States would back French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde, a favorite in many European capitals.
John Lipsky, the IMF’s acting managing director, said the organization’s 24-member executive board will begin the process of selecting a new leader.
“We want this to happen as expeditiously as possible,” Lipsky said, in his first public remarks after assuming his new role.
Brainard’s comments and a similarly ambiguous statement issued by U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner leave open the possibility that the U.S. could support a candidate from either group.
