Poland low on list for IMF top job
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
20.05.2011 09:01
According to former prime minister Krzysztof Bielecki, the chances that current governor of the National Bank of Poland Marek Belka or former governor Leszek Balcerowicz might be in the running to head the IMF after the resignation of Dominique Strauss-Kahn are slim.
On such occasions like this, various countries declare their candidates. But the calibre of the candidates from G7 countries is greater than from G20 countries, and we're not even in the G20, Bielecki told the TVN television channel last night.
It is believed that the Polish government’s preferred candidate is Leszek Balcerowicz, architect of the ‘shock therapy’ reforms of the early 1990s, a former finance minister and probably Poland’s most respected economist internationally.
Bielecki, himself a noted economist, thinks that frontrunners for the position vacated after Strauss-Kahn was arrested last Sunday in New York on rape charges are French finance minister Christine Lagard and former UK prime minister Gordon Brown.
Traditionally, IMF chiefs have come from western Europe, while the World Bank head is chosen from US candidates. But Brazilian finance minister Guido Mantega has challenged the continent’s right to lead the IMF.
“Time has long passed when it could be remotely appropriate to reserve this important position to a European national," he said, Thursday, arguing that the growing importance of Asia and South America in the financial world should be reflected in the choice of candidates for the job. (pg)