Carstens pitches IMF board for top job

Mexico's central bank head Agustin Carstens auditioned for the International Monetary Fund's top job at the organisation's Washington bureau on Tuesday. His chief rival, French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde, will make her case Wednesday.

The International Monetary Fund’s board has rejected Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer’s application for the top IMF job, shortlisting French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde and Mexico central bank chief Agustin Carstens.

Mexico's candidate to head the International Monetary Fund began two days of meetings Monday with IMF officials, while his French rival is due to make the rounds on his heels, a person close to the institution said."For (Agustin) Carstens it's today and tomorrow. For (Christine) Lagarde it will be on Wednesday and Thursday," the person told AFP.

AFP - Canada would welcome a new IMF chief from an emerging marke

France's Christine Lagarde picked up an endorsement from China Monday, raising her chances to become head of the International Monetary Fund despite grumbles from some nations over Europe's lock on the job.The global crisis lender's executive board was expected to make the decision between Lagarde, France's finance minister, and Mexican central bank chief Agustin Carstens as early as Tuesday.