A new president of the multi-lateral agency the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will be elected today (November 20) to replace sacked and disgraced Mauricio Claver-Carone, who was found to have had an inappropriate relationship with a member of staff.

Nominations closed on November 11, and the Governors of the 48 member countries that make up the IDB have now interviewed the five proposed candidates.

Gerard Johnson was nominated by the Caribbean country of Trinidad & Tobago.

Johnson served as IDB country head for Jamaica, beginning his tenure in 2006, and was later promoted to head of the Caribbean department. He now serves as a senior consultant to Jamaica’s Ministry of Finance.

“We need a president who has the ability to hit the ground running. A president who knows our region and our people… . A president who has a deep appreciation for the nuances in our culture across the hemisphere,” said Penelope Beckles, Trinidad’s planning and development minister.

“With Mr Johnson at the helm, I am indeed confident the Bank will be effectively guided to mobilise the required resources and develop targeted solutions for reigniting the much-needed growth in the hemisphere.”

The winning candidate will serve a five-year term and must have the support of at least 15 of the 28 regional members.

Brazil’s outgoing president, Jair Bolsonaro, nominated former central bank head Ilan Goldfajn, who is the boss of the IMF’s Western Hemisphere region.