Draghi Said to Be Seen by Sarkozy as Trichet’s Successor at ECB

French President Nicolas Sarkozy considers Bank of Italy Governor Mario Draghi the leading candidate to succeed Jean-Claude Trichet at the helm of the European Central Bank, a person familiar with the matter said.

Support from Sarkozy after signals from German officials that Draghi is their preferred banker would add momentum to a campaign that has been pushed by Italian government officials. The French leader may disclose his views as early as tomorrow at a briefing in Rome with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, a Sarkozy aide told reporters last week.