The International Monetary Fund has expressed its “full confidence” in managing director Kristalina Georgieva, accused of putting pressure on the staff of the World Bank to change the business rankings of the institute in favor of China.
The IMF said in a statement that its investigations “did not prove conclusively” that Georgieva, at the time number one of the World Bank, played an “improper role” in the situation. “Having analyzed all the evidence presented – writes the IMF in a note – the board reaffirms its full confidence in the leadership of the general manager and its ability to continue to carry out its duties”.
In the meantime, however, the investigations are continuing to verify any misconduct by Georgieva. The United States, the most influential country in the IMF, has indicated that it will closely monitor the issue.
The report that makes the IMF tremble
Georgieva dismissed all the allegations that emerged from a report claiming that she had pressured the staff of the World Bank to change “unfavorable” data to the business rankings of China and other countries.
The report, edited by the law firm Wilmerhale, has fueled new criticism of Beijing’s excessive influence on international financial organizations. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen discussed it over the phone with Georgieva and claimed the report raised “legitimate problems and concerns” about her behavior.