Lagarde to seek second term at IMF

Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on Friday, said she would run for a second term.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Lagarde said she had no obvious challengers and was open to serving another term.

“I am a candidate to a new mandate. I was honoured to receive from the start of the process, the backing of France, Britain, Germany, China, Korea,” she said.

Lagarde had been accused of negligence over a payout of some 400 million euros (430 million dollars) to businessman, Bernard Tapie, while she was France’s Finance Minister.

Last month, a French court ordered her to face trial and she said she would appeal that decision.

“I feel that I always acted in the state’s interest and within the law,” she had said.

“I have my conscience for me in this affair. I hope the courts will agree with that.”