IMF Bets on Lagarde as Trump Aims to Upend World Order

  • IMF chief kept board’s full support after French conviction
  • Case raised questions as world debates globalization’s future

El-Erian: IMF Board Is Correct to Support Lagarde

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The International Monetary Fund’s executive board caught a glimpse this week of what life might be like in the wilderness of a rapidly shifting world order. It didn’t take them long to slam the door.

Christine Lagarde’s conviction on Monday of negligence in a French court cast uncertainty over her ability to continue as the IMF’s managing director. Within hours of the judgment, in which she escaped any punishment, the fund’s 24-member executive board put to rest any speculation that she might have to resign, praising her “outstanding leadership” and the “wide respect” she commands around the world.