Christine Lagarde

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Christine Lagarde, French finance minister, is the front-runner to take the helm at the International Monetary Fund. She consolidated her lead over the weekend with Egyptian and Indonesian backing. (Associated Press)

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Brazilian Economy Minister Guido Mantega welcomes French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde, the front-runner for chief of the International Monetary Fund. Brazil is one of several countries that wants the IMF search to go outside of Europe. (Associated Press)

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French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde announces her bid to lead the International Monetary Fund at a news conference in Paris on Wednesday, May 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

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France's Finance Minister Christine Lagarde has, in recent days, been touted in many European capitals as a good choice to replace former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn. (Associated Press)

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Christine Lagarde, France's finance minister, visits a Paris supermarket and goods retailer on Thursday, May 19, 2011. Ms. Lagarde has emerged as a potential candidate to replace Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who has resigned as IFM managing director. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)