World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz must reconsider his eligibility as the head of a institution that prides itself on its tough anti-corruption stance, Swiss Economics Minister Doris Leuthard said on Thursday.

At a press conference in Geneva, Leuthard said Wolfowitz, who is now facing a corruption scandal, could hurt the special credibility of the World Bank.

Although she did not call directly for Wolfowitz's resignation, she expressed hope that an internal inquiry would clarify the scandal in the coming weeks.

Wolfowitz, the Bush administration's former deputy defense secretary, is facing pressure to step down after revelations that he helped arrange a promotion and pay rise for his girlfriend, an employee of the World Bank.

Switzerland has a seat in the World Bank's 24-member executive board, which could decide what action the bank might take against Wolfowitz.

Source: Xinhua