George Osborne is considering putting his name forward to replace Christine Lagarde as the head of the International Monetary Fund, according to reports, a move that would see him become the first Briton to lead the Washington-based body.
The former chancellor – and current Evening Standard editor – has told allies he would be well suited to succeed Lagarde, the Financial Times reported, after she was picked to lead the European Central Bank this week.
Three years ago, Osborne was unceremoniously sacked as chancellor in the aftermath of the Brexit vote, facing a barrage of criticism over a botched campaign to have the UK remain in the EU.
It would also mark the first time in the 75-year history of the IMF that a Briton has led the global body, which acts as the lender of last resort to nations in financial distress.
Other contenders may include Mark Carney, the Bank of England governor, who holds Irish and UK citizenship. Carney is due to leave the Bank of England early next year.
Osborne may also hope for support from Boris Johnson, after throwing the weight of the Standard behind the former foreign secretary’s campaign for prime minister.
Via The Guardian /The Financial Times
9th June 2026
Armenia’s ruling pro-Europe party has won parliamentary elections, confirming the country’s pivot towards Europe and away from its traditional ally, Russia.
Final results in the small...
9th June 2026
The EU wants to target fewer, clearer goals at the world's annual climate summit in November, building alliances in advance to avoid a repeat of last year's bruising talks where the blo...
9th June 2026
Updated 1210
EU Parliament Backs First Sustainable Tourism Strategy: The European Parliament has approved a report by Daniel Attard that will form the basis of the EU’s first Strategy...
8th June 2026
Updated 1315
EU Committee Backs Plan for Next Budget Cycle with Stronger Role for Islands: MEP Thomas Bajada has secured approval from the European Parliament’s Committee on Economic ...
8th June 2026
The European Parliament has approved a major new initiative aimed at reducing workplace accidents and strengthening worker protection across the European Union, as concerns continue to g...
8th June 2026
The European Union has approved new rules aimed at tightening the screening of foreign investments in strategic sectors, marking a major shift in Europe’s approach towards economic secur...
9th June 2026
Budget airline Wizz Air said on Monday it will begin offering Starlink satellite internet across its fleet from next year, becoming the first European ultra-low-cost carrier to introduce...
9th June 2026
Stellantis said on Tuesday it is recalling more than 1.3 million Jeep SUVs and trucks worldwide over fire concerns and urged owners to park away from structures or other vehicles unt...
8th June 2026
The European Parliament has approved a major new initiative aimed at reducing workplace accidents and strengthening worker protection across the European Union, as concerns continue to g...
8th June 2026
The European Union has approved new rules aimed at tightening the screening of foreign investments in strategic sectors, marking a major shift in Europe’s approach towards economic secur...
3rd June 2026
GO p.l.c., Malta’s leading telecommunications provider, today announced the launch of the MOGOSC project (MOdernisation of the GO-1 Submarine Cable), a strategic infrastructure upgrade t...
1st June 2026
Malta Employers extends its congratulations to the Partit Laburista on its victory in the General Election and looks forward to engaging in constructive social dialogue with Prime Minist...
8th June 2026
Israel and Iran exchanged fresh attacks on Monday, marking a significant escalation in tensions and raising concerns over regional stability and global energy supplies.
The Israeli mi...
3rd June 2026
Gulf hostilities flared anew on Wednesday, with the U.S. military saying Iranian missile attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait and other regional targets were either thwarted or failed, as diploma...
25th February 2026
Thousands of Cuban security personnel have begun leaving Caracas after nearly two decades in Venezuela, as Washington ramps up efforts to dismantle the long standing alliance between the...
9th February 2026
María Corina Machado is a prominent figure in Venezuela’s opposition. She has reported that one of her closest associates, Juan Pablo Guanipa, was abducted. This occurred mere hours afte...
5th June 2026
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed a face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin in an open letter to the Russian leader on Thursday, saying he was ready for a "full ceasefire...
4th June 2026
All members of the European Union agreed to open talks with Ukraine and Moldova on the first cluster of issues in their accession talks, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said ...