FRANCE BACKS KNOT FOR ECB PRESIDENT France would support former Dutch central-bank chief Klaas Knot to succeed Christine Lagarde as ECB president, provided a French candidate receives the powerful chief economist role, Reuters reports. The proposal reportedly has Macron’s backing, with Pablo Hernández de Cos seen as Knot’s main rival. Market angle: Germany is expected to resist the deal, setting up a major battle over the ECB’s future policy direction.(彭博社)