Belka said speculation that he might be in the frame for the post was “absurd and outlandish”.
A frenzy of media speculation in the US and Europe of who could take over as chief of the International Monetary Fund has followed the arrest of Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who is facing five charges of rape and other sexual crimes, made by a chamber maid in a New York hotel.
In Poland, the Wall Street Journal mentions two names - Marek Belka and the economist behind Poland’s ‘shock therapy’ reforms following the collapse of communism, Leszek Balcerowicz.
According to the WSJ, Belka’s candidature is backed up by the fact that he has already worked for the IMF as a director for the European Department under Strauss-Kahn.
Marek Belka was also secretary general on the UN Economic Commission for Europe.
However, Belka took up the position at Poland’s central bank only a year ago and his term is expected to last for six years.
Meanwhile, Leszek Balcerowicz’s candidacy as the economics professor follows his experience as finance minister in three different governments in Poland and was also once head of Poland’s central bank.
Apart from the Polish candidates, former UK prime minister Gordon Brown has been mentioned, as has the Italian Mario Draghi, who Euro Zone finance ministers nominated to take over as chief of the European Central Bank on Monday, succeeding Jean-Claude Trichet when he retires in October.
Resignation calls
Pressure is mounting on Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who faces up to 25 years in prison if found guilty of the charges put before him, to consider resigning as head of the IMF.
Austria's finance minister Maria Fekter said Tuesday that Strauss-Kahn should consider stepping down to avoid damaging the IMF’s reputation.
“[H]e has to figure out for himself that he is hurting the institution," Fekter said.
Spanish finance minister Elena Salgado also said Strauss-Kahn, a probable French presidential candidate for the Socialist party, should think about his position considering the “extraordinarily serious” charges he was facing.
Almost a lone voice supporting the IMF chief is his friend, Luxembourg prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker
“I didn't like the pictures I've seen on television," he said, referring to coverage that showing Strauss-Kahn in handcuffs and under police arrest on Sunday night when the news broke of the rape allegations. (pg/jb)
Sources: TVN24/PAP/CBS/AP