Lagarde named 'star' of finance

CHRISTINE Lagarde has been named the best economy minister in Europe for her work getting France out of the recession.

The Financial Times said Lagarde had "become a star" and the panel of judges "loved her performances on the international stage when it came to regulation and the future of banking".

"The French government’s swift fiscal action was important in averting an even deeper recession," the newspaper said.

Europe's economy minsters were judged according to their political skills and how well their country had performed.

France surprised economists by announcing in mid-August that it had exited the recession. The rest of the Eurozone followed this month.

Lagarde said at the time that the government's car scrapping scheme, the prime à la casse, and a rise in exports had helped.

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Photo:Remy Steinegger