Why Is Paul Wolfowitz's Position As President Of The World Bank Under Threat?

Paul Wolfowitz was a member of the Bush administration who played a key role pushing for the war in Iraq. He was controversially nominated to be president of the World Bank at the beginning of Bush's second term.

On taking up the office, he promised to fight against corruption, both in the countries which receive World Bank assistance and in the bureaucracy itself. The inefficiency, corruption and nepotism of bureaucracies is one of the favourite themes of those on the American Right such as Paul Wolfowitz.

Recently, it emerged that Wolfowitz personally intervened to secure a substantial pay rise as well as promotions for his partner, Shaha Riza, who also worked for the World Bank.

Wolfowitz has apologised for what he calls an error of judgement and has said that, on reflection,he should have recused himself from getting involved in decisions on his partner's remuneration package. While addressing bank staff, Wolfowitz was jeered, and a chant of "Resign! Resign!" went up.