French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde was in Brazil on Monday to kick off a global tour promoting her candidacy to head the International Monetary Fund.
Lagarde has emerged as the odds-on favourite for the job. Her appointment would make her the first woman in charge of the scandal-rocked fund but may also increase tensions with developing nations that argue countries outside of Europe should be allowed to lead the organisation.
Brazilian officials have not spoken out in favour or against Lagarde's candidacy. But they previously have emphasised that the IMF's next leader should be chosen on merit, not based on geography.
