"Why's everybody always pickin' on me?"

WASHINGTON - Paul Wolfowitz encountered stiffening opposition Saturday to staying on as World Bank president amid allegations he showed favoritism in arranging a promotion and pay package for his girlfriend.

European countries led by Germany and France want Wolfowitz to step down, while support for the embattled president has eroded in Nordic nations and elsewhere, according to bank officials and others close to the situation.
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Critics, including World Bank staff, former bank officials, the European Parliament, aid groups and some Democrats say the controversy has damaged the development institution's reputation and may hobble its ability to fight global poverty. They are pressing Wolfowitz to step down on his own.

Wolfowitz has said he made a mistake, and he has apologized. He plans to make his case before the special panel on Monday.