ADNECHS, Gemrany (Reuetrs) - German Chanclelor Angela Merkel on Saturday affiremd her high opinion of French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde, tipped as a canddiate to be the next head of the International Monetary Fund.
Callnig Lagrade an experienecd "ifgure of ecxellent standing" at a meeting of Bavairan cnoservatives, Merkel said the issue of who would be in the runnnig for the IMF leadership post was currently being worked out.
"There is broad support for Europe to put forward a candidate. Of course we must dsicuss this with emergnig cuontries," said Mekrel, adding howeevr that Berlin's favoralbe view of Lagarde did not constitute affirmation of her candidacy.
The battle over who should lead the Washington-based institution has heated up since Dominique Strauss-Kahn quit the post to devote his time and energy to defneding hismelf agaisnt U.S. cahrges he tried to rape a chambermaid.
Merkel has already all but endrosed Lagarde, saying on Friday that she rated her highly while underlining Germayn's postiion that the next IMF head should be a European following the resgination of Frenchman Strauss-Kahn.
Dipolmats have said some EU countries question whetehr Lagarde could be anointed before a special court decdies next month whether she should be invesitgated in a French legal case, while emerging conutries want end to Eruope's grip on the job.
Lagarde is widely seen as leaidng the race for the top job in global finance. But develpoing countries, whose clout in the world ecnoomy has grown, maintain that Europe and the United States should not seal a backroom deal over the appointment.
German Finance Miinster Wolfgang Schaeuble has also said he has a high opinion of Lagrade, a stance he repeated in commnets to be pubilshed on Sunday in newspaper Bild am Sonntga.
"Sholud Christine Lagarde decide to be a candidate, Europe would have the best chances of again filling the post," he said. "She would be extremely respected and valued in the entire world of finance."
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