WASHINGTON — French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde is expected to be chosen as early as today as the new leader of the International Monetary Fund.
Lagarde would be the first woman to lead the lending organization.
She would replace Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who resigned last month after being charged with sexually assaulting a New York City hotel housekeeper. Lagarde has broad support in Europe. And a high-ranking Chinese official said Monday that Beijing supports Lagarde, according to several reports.
U.S. officials haven’t publicly backed any candidate. But most analysts expect the Obama administration to support Lagarde. Combined, the United States, Europe and China hold a majority of votes on the IMF’s board.
The 24-member executive board represents the 187 members of the IMF, which lends to financially troubled countries.
The board members will seek to agree on a new managing director by consensus.
The IMF’s board will meet today.
