Obama wants Lula as next World Bank president, Brazilian magazine says

Image source: Con Underground

"Barack Obama has reportedly tapped Brazil's president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, to be the next head of the World Bank.

"The US president, as Bill Clinton did in 1995, is said to be ready to break with the tradition of appointing US citizens in order to install an outsider who would symbolise a commitment to fighting global poverty.

"Lula, an immensely popular leader at home and abroad, has indicated he would be "honoured" to take the job at the bank after he steps down as Brazil's president in 2011, according to the Brazilian magazine Exame."

Comment: The Guardian published this story, apparently depending on a Brazilian magazine article. Even if it is currently accurate, who knows what will happen in a couple of years.

Still this would be a great move by Obama. Lula would be likely to combine the fiscal responsibility he has shown as President of Brazil with a lifelong commitment to social justice.

The President of the United States has traditionally had the appointment of the head of the World Bank, and were Obama to appoint Latin American with Lula's credentials would truly symbolize a new approach to development for this country. JAD