Brussels, 19/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission wants a solid European candidate to take over from French national Dominique Strauss-Kahn at the helm of the International Monetary Fund. On Thursday 19 May, a spokesperson for the president of the European Commission said he believed that solid candidates could be found in Europe to succeed Dominique Strauss-Kahn. Although nationality is not one of the criteria for a replacement for Strauss-Kahn, Barroso has clearly expressed his views - it is natural for EU member states to agree on a strong, able candidate who can win support, added the spokesperson, pointing out that the EU makes the biggest financial contribution to the International Monetary Fund.
Arrested for alleged attempted rape, Strauss-Kahn has resigned from the IMF in order to concentrate on his defence. The race to replace him is therefore now open. EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn said it is crucial that the new IMF director general be chosen on the basis of merit, but good understanding of the European economy would be a distinct advantage. Under an unofficial agreement between the United States and the EU, Europe picks the head of the IMF and the US the head of the World Bank. Europe is keen to continue with this arrangement. French Economy Minister Christine Lagarde, often polled as a favourite, said that whoever the candidate was, he or she should come from Europeans meeting together. The world's emerging economies, however, are itching to get their own candidate into the IMF top job. (M.B./transl.fl)