World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz is embroiled in scandal. A controversy surrounding the treatment given his girlfriend, another World Bank employee, has damaged Mr. Wolfowitz's credibility and that of the institution he heads. Mr. Wolfowitz may gain approval to stay on, but continuing in his post would be a mistake if he truly believes in the bank's mission.
Mr. Wolfowitz went to the World Bank after serving four years as the U.S. deputy secretary of defense, the number two in the Pentagon. While Mr. Wolfowitz was one of the intellectual architects of the Iraq war, he also served as ambassador to Indonesia and has had a long-standing interest in development issues.
Scandal has erupted over the role Mr. Wolfowitz played in arranging a temporary post at the State Department for his girlfriend -- who also works at the bank -- that involved promotions and high pay raises. The particulars of the deal were arranged by Mr. Wolfowitz in violation of the World Bank's personnel policies. At first, Mr. Wolfowitz denied any role in the favorable treatment, but later conceded involvement, and admitted to having made mistakes in handling the issue.