FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2016 file photo, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde speaks during a news conference in Washington. On Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, Lagarde called on governments and businesses to do more to promote the same economic opportunities for men and women and to fight discrimination that interferes with those goals. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

World News

Lagarde Resigns as IMF Boss, Cites More Clarity on ECB Position

Per Second NewsJuly 16, 20191 Mins read704

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde announced on Tuesday she had submitted her resignation from the global lender, saying she had more clarity about her nomination to be the next head of the European Central Bank.

Lagarde said in a statement her resignation was effective Sept. 12, opening the way for the IMF to choose its next leader.

“With greater clarity now on the process for my nomination as ECB President and the time it will take, I have made this decision in the best interest of the Fund,” she said in a statement.

She said her resignation would expedite the selection of her successor.

Lagarde’s resignation comes two weeks after her nomination on July 2 for the ECB top job. She did not immediately resign from the IMF because of uncertainty over whether the new European Parliament would approve her and other new EU leadership positions, sources told Reuters.

Lagarde’s nomination is subject to approval by a fractious European Parliament. If approved, she would take over as ECB president from Mario Draghi on Oct. 31.