BoI governor Fischer disqualified from IMF due to age
By REUTERS
LAST UPDATED: 06/14/2011 04:08
Fischer: I was hoping the directorate would change the policy not only on my behalf, but also for the sake of future candidates.
Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer Photo: Dani Machlis/BGU
The
International Monetary Fund's board on Monday blocked Bank of Israel
governor Stanley Fischer from the race for the top IMF job, further
boosting the chances of French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde.
In
a surprise move, the IMF board rejected changing the IMF's rules that
would have allowed 67-year-old Fischer to run, two board official told
Reuters. IMF rules stipulate an age limit of 65 for an incoming managing
director. Commenting on his disqualification due to age, Fischer said "I was hoping the directorate would change the policy not only on my behalf, but also for the sake of future candidates."
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The
officials said changing the rules for Fischer would have required a
reopening of the selection process to allow other candidates older than
65 to participate in the race.
Fischer accepted the rejection humbly, saying "I will continue to fill with joy and great pride my role at the Bank of Israel."
An IMF board statement issued
later confirmed it had shortlisted Lagarde and Mexico's central bank
chief Agustin Carstens and would consider their nominations but made no
mention of Fischer.
"The executive board will meet with the
candidates in Washington and, thereafter, meet to discuss the strengths
of the candidates and make a selection," the board said.
It reiterated that it planned to complete the selection by June 30.
Front-runner
Lagarde is backed by the European Union and a handful of other
countries including Indonesia, the first large emerging market to
declare its support for her.
Carstens has the support of a dozen
Latin American countries, including Colombia, in a race which, despite
being one of the most hotly contested in IMF history, is widely expected
to result in Europe maintaining its 65-year grip on the job.
Jpost.com staff contributed to this report.