While Lagarde declined to say whether she would become involved in the campaign, participants to Morin’s annual political rally didn’t rule that out.
“Several people mention Lagarde as a presidential candidate, but she is the only one who can answer that question,” said centrist senator Catherine Morin-Desailly.
“She is a Norman, French and European figure who must, of course, play an active role in helping to shape and develop future platforms for the presidential election. Good candidates will call on her expertise, and I hope they do.”
With centrist candidates Gabriel Attal and Edouard Philippe competing against each other and Bruno Retailleau, the leader of the conservative Les Républicains, also taking part in the race, the center-right side of the presidential spectrum is already crowded.
For Kristina Pluchet, a senator from Les Républicains who backs Retailleau, other candidates including Christine Lagarde could very well join the race, but they should compete in a primary election.
With French bond yields rising and the government led by Sébastien Lecornu struggling to cut the deficit, Lagarde’s financial résumé could prove to be an asset — although she complained to a local producer that the oysters she had during her time as the International Monetary Fund boss in New York were washed with chlorine.