Appointment of next IMF head – campaigners demand fair selection process

With the resignation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn, a global coalition of campaigners have called for an open and merit-based process to elect the next IMF head.

The campaigners, including the Bretton Woods Project, Oxfam, and the Third World Network, are calling for an end to the have end to the “gentlemen’s agreement” between Europe and the US, which ensures that the IMF Managing Director is always a European, and the President of the World Bank an American.

Oxfam spokesperson Sarah Wynn-Williams said: “The time has come for the IMF to accept an open and merit-based approach to choosing its leaders. Open voting, and a leader backed by a majority of IMF member governments, not just a majority of shares, are fundamental elements missing from the current process. The IMF can't continue to select its leader in such a flawed manner. Leadership must be representative and accountable if it is to be credible.”

Bhumika Muchhala of the Third World Network said: “The next IMF managing director must be chosen through an open, transparent and inclusive process, where selection is based on merit, not nationality, and with an effort to facilitate a leadership role from outside the European region. It is time for the European and US governments to finally end the sordid tacit deal between the two regions that has maintained a de facto Northern leadership at both the Fund and the Bank.”

The campaigners called for an end to behind the scenes deals, a commitment to make sure votes are cast in public, and a requirement for the winning candidate to have the backing of a majority of member governments.

Jesse Griffiths of the Bretton Woods Project said: “The head of the IMF must be – and be seen to be – independent of powerful governments, and well versed in the problems of low- and middle-income countries, where most IMF operations take place. They should display a commitment to reducing levels of global inequality and poverty.”