On 13 September 2011 it was reported that Leterme aims to take up a new job as deputy secretary general of the OECD in 2012, although that it seemed to be unlikely at that time that he'd leave the post as the head of the caretaker government before the end of the year.
Den 13. september 2011 blev det rapporteret, at Leterme havde søgt om et job som vicegeneralsekretær i OECD fra 2012, selvom det på daværende tidspunkt ansås usandsynligt, at han kunne forlade posten som leder af det forretningsministerium inden udgangen af året.