Russia backs Kazakh IMF candidate, can change mind - Kudrin
MOSCOW. May 26 (Interfax) - While Moscow still backs the candidacy of National Bank of Kazakhstan Chief Grigory Marchenko to lead the International Monetary Fund, it reserves the right to change its mind, Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said.
"I regard Marchenko as a professional, as we are glad to support this candidacy. At the same time, we are not binding ourselves, we will participate in the discussion of all candidates in the relevant procedure on a professional basis. If we see other candidates who will present a more interesting program during the election campaign, then we might change our opinion," Kudrin told journalists on Thursday.
The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) directors at the IMF stated that "we would not like the tacit rules favoring Europeans to work automatically," Kudrin recalled.
In regard to French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde's candidacy, she "is a very professional, very balanced person and financier. I must say that we like this candidacy as well and we will carefully study her program," Kudrin said.
"We have a good starting set of candidates. There is something to choose from, but for now we cannot say who will be our final preference. So far our preference is Marchenko," he said.