Mexican central bank governor Agustin Carstens said today he was better qualified than his rival Christine Lagarde to lead the IMF, saying the body could benefit by having a non-European at the helm.
Along with French Finance Minister Lagarde, Carstens is seen as one of two front runners for the director-general's post vacated by Dominique Strauss-Kahn after he was arrested and charged with attempted rape in New York.
Traditionally the post of IMF chief has gone to a European while the US tends to pick the head of the World Bank.
But in interviews with Spain's El Pais daily and Expansion economic journal, Carstens said the current woes of the euro illustrated that 'Europe doesn't need a European at the IMF but solutions'.
'I dare say that it might be more appropriate to have a non-European because a new set of eyes can look at Europe's problems more objectively, especially if it's someone of experience, who comes up with a plan of action which might be a bit tougher but also more realistic,' Carstens said.
'The reality is that this crisis has been going on for three years now with a European at the head of the IMF and that crisis has still not been resolved,' he added.
The 52-year-old Carstens, who served as deputy managing director of the IMF from 2003-2006 before taking over as Mexican finance minister, recognised that he faced a major challenge to beat Lagarde, widely regarded as the favourite.
'It's a difficult process,' said Carstens, 'not only because there is another high-calibre candidate but also because it would break with 65 years of tradition (under which a European has led the IMF) at a very complex time for Europe and also bearing in mind that Europe is united in wanting to keep hold of this position.'
'But I'm not admitting defeat,' he said. 'I have more authority and experience than Lagarde to lead the IMF.'
Asked what he would do if he were to fail to secure the top job at the IMF, Carstens ruled out taking up the number two position within the organisation. 'If that were to be the case then I would prefer to remain in my country and help it,' he said.
Meanwhile, France's Christine Lagarde is seeking to rally support for her bid to lead the International Monetary Fund, promising on a visit to Brazil to 'deepen' reforms at the institution.
Lagarde, France's finance minister, was in Brazil - one of several emerging nations seeking an end to Europe's stranglehold on the powerful post - on the first stop of an international tour.
Lagarde is due to visit Brazil, China, India and 'certain African countries' as part of her tour, noting that Brazil had been the first state to respond to her proposal.
Brazil is among the so-called BRICS group of emerging economic powers that also includes Russia, India, China and South Africa, which have criticised Europe's grip on the IMF, but have failed to agree on a candidate of their own.
