French Candidate for IMF Head Reportedly Promises to Reform Selection System

Agence France Presse reported last week that Dominique Strauss-Kahn, France's candidate to head the IMF, told Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva that he wants to reform the IMF--including how the head of the Fund is selected. Such a commitment by the man who is widely expected to become the next IMF head would break new ground, writes Lawrence MacDonald, CGD director of communications and policy. A more transparent, competitive and merit-based selection process for the heads of global institutions is crucial if these organizations are to have the legitimacy needed to address 21st century challenges. What's needed now is a public affirmation of this reform pledge by Strauss-Kahn himself.