Gov't addresses Strauss-Khan scandal, urges 'not to rush into picking new IMF leader'

The National Government finally decided to comment on the controversy surrounding IMF head Dominique Strauss-Khan since he was accused of sexual harassment last week.

Economy Minister Amado Boudou said “discussing a probable successor would not be appropriate now,” although he seemed in favour of picking a new leader who comes “from a developing country,” who will continue to expand and continue Strauss-Khan’s reforms. 

“For now, there’s only one IMF director. We shouldn’t rush into picking another one,” he said after a meeting he held with high-ranking members of the Argentine Industrial Union. He stressed, however, on the importance of “choosing a successor that would continue Strauss-Khan’s reforms.”

“We’re convinced that we must continue working to expand the IMF’s democratization,” the minister said. 

The possibility that the IMF head might be stepping down after accusations of sexual abuse has unleashed a clash on interests between those interested in his chair. There have also been calls to add larger transparency to the selection process.