European finance ministers are pushing for a top European official at the World Bank to provide a counterweight to Paul Wolfowitz, the US candidate to succeed James Wolfensohn as bank president. Mr Wolfowitz, who last week met representatives from Europe and developing countries in Washington, is expected to be confirmed in the post on Thursday. Before then, European officials are trying to organise that Mr Wolfowitz visit European finance ministers to discuss his vision for the bank. Mr Wolfowitz has agreed to listen to the arguments for greater European representation at the bank, officials said.

France wants a strong new European deputy, mirroring the division of jobs at the International Monetary Fund.