Germany's Finance Minister, Mr Hans Eichel, in remarks clearly intended to be heard in Paris, urged Europe yesterday to back Berlin's candidate to head the International Monetary Fund, Mr Caio Koch-Weser.

"The other countries must put their cards on the table," Mr Eichel said at a speaking engagement in Heidelberg.

Germany claims broad European support for the campaign by Mr Koch-Weser, a deputy finance minister and 25-year veteran of the World Bank, to take the helm at the global lender.

But France, by failing to come out clearly in favour of either Mr Koch-Weser or another candidate, has stymied Berlin's attempt to land a job which has been done by a European throughout the IMF's 50 years.