IMF Gives Christine Lagarde Second Term as Managing Director

The International Monetary Fund said Friday it is giving managing director Christine Lagarde a second five-year term.

Lagarde, the first woman to hold the post, was the only candidate nominated. Her new term starts July 5.

Lagarde, 60, was named the IMF’s 11th managing director in 2011. She has led the multinational lending agency through the European debt crisis and a period of global economic stagnation that she’s labeled the “New Mediocre.”

In a statement, Aleksei Mozhin, dean of the IMF’s executive board, said board members were impressed with Lagarde’s “strong and wise leadership… During turbulent times in the global economy, Ms. Lagarde strengthened the fund’s ability to support its members.”

Before joining the IMF, she was an international lawyer. She also has served as France’s minister of trade, agriculture and finance. During the financial crisis of 2008, she led a council of European Union finance and economic ministers.