EU Commission wants EU states to agree IMF candidate

EU member states should agree on a strong candidate to replace Dominique Strauss-Kahn as head of the International Monetary Fund, the European Commission said on Thursday.

"...While nationality is not a criteria in relation to the succession, it is only natural that the member states of the European Union, as the biggest contributor to the fund, agree on a strong, competent candidate who can rally support from the IMF membership for the future leadership of this critically important institution," a Commission spokeswoman told a regular news briefing.

"I'm sure that now consultations will intensify about the succession and about putting forward a strong European candidate to take up the position," she added.