Christine Lagarde (born 1 January 1956) is the current Minister of Economic Affairs, Industry and Employment of France, appointed in June 2007. She was previously Minister of Agriculture and Fishing and Minister of Trade in the government of Dominique de Villepin. Lagarde is the first woman ever to become minister of Economic Affairs of a G8 economy.
Christine Lagarde | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister for the Economy, Industry and Employment | |
| Assumed office 19 June 2007 | |
| Prime Minister | François Fillon |
| Preceded by | Jean-Louis Borloo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 January 1956 Paris, France  |
| Political party | UMP |
| Alma mater | University of Paris X: Nanterre |
In 2008, Lagarde was ranked the 14th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes Magazine.[1] A noted antitrust and labour lawyer, Lagarde made history as the first female chairman of the international law firm Baker & McKenzie. She has been awarded France's highest honor, the Légion d'honneur.[1] She is noted for her good command of English.[2] On November 16 2009 the Financial Times ranked her the best minister of Finance of the Eurozone.[3]
Biography
Lagarde was born in Paris as Christine Lallouette to academic parents. She attended secondary school in Le Havre (Seine-Maritime) and at the Holton-Arms School in Bethesda (USA) while a participant on an AFS Intercultural exchange program. She studied at the Law School of University of Paris X: Nanterre. She later lectured there after graduating. She also has a post-graduate diploma (DESS) in labour law, and a Master’s degree in English.
Lagarde worked as an intern at the United States Capitol, as William Cohen's congressional assistant.
Lagarde is a champion synchronized swimmer.
Baker & McKenzie
Lagarde joined Baker & McKenzie in 1981. She became president of the executive committee in 1999, and became president of the global strategic committee in 2004.[4]
Of the law firm, Lagarde said Baker & McKenzie is "a very democratic environment, which values people in terms of their work and their contribution".[5]
Lagarde joined the executive committee in 1995 and was elected Chairman in 1999. She implemented a "client first" mentality and saw a 30 percent rise in the firm's profits during her tenure.[citation needed] She was reelected Chairman in 2002.[citation needed]
Her personal interest in European affairs led her to open the European Law Centre, an office of Baker and McKenzie in Brussels exclusively dedicated to the practice of EU Law.
Ministerial career
As France's Trade Minister between 2005 and May 2007, Lagarde prioritized opening new markets for the country's products, focusing on the technology sector. On 18 May 2007, she was moved to the Ministry of Agriculture as part of the government of François Fillon.[6] The following month she joined François Fillon's cabinet in the Ministry of Economic Affairs,[7] Industry and Employment to become the first woman to ever be in charge of economic policy in France.
She has made the controversial statement that France is a country that thinks too much, and that such obsessive thinking prevents reforms from being implemented.[8]
According to French newspaper Le Parisien, in November 2008 Christine Lagarde stated her determination to make Paris an important center of Islamic finance.[9]
References
- ^ a b The 100 Most Powerful Women in the World 2006, Forbes.com
- ^ From Prof Jean-Pierre Lehmann. (2009-10-09). "Lagarde will lend charisma to the EU presidency". FT.com. Retrieved 2009-12-12.
- ^ From Ralph Atkins, Andrew Whiffin and FT reporters. (2009-10-16). "FT ranking of EU finance ministers". FT.com. Retrieved 2010-01-02.
- ^ "Christine Lagarde biography". Ministry of the Economy (France). Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ Think Tank: Women To Watch, EuropePWN.com
- ^ Décret du 18 mai 2007 relatif à la composition du Gouvernement
- ^ Décret du 19 juin 2007 relatif à la composition du Gouvernement
- ^ New Leaders Say Pensive French Think too Much - NY Times
- ^ Le Parisien Les banques islamiques arrivent en France