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As Case Implodes, Strauss-Kahn Allies Eye Presidency

Turnaround in case shakes up French politics

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 1, 2011 5:02 AM CDT | Updated Jul 1, 2011 7:51 AM CDT

(Newser) – Dominique Strauss-Kahn's old job has been filled, but supporters waking to the news that the sexual assault case against him is collapsing have a new one in mind for him: president of France. Before his arrest, the former IMF chief was considered a leading contender to unseat Nicolas Sarkozy in next year's election, and his allies are now urging the Socialist Party to put its primary process on hold until he returns to France, reports AP.

"I am a happy man, happy for him and for our country,” former Socialist culture minister Jack Lang tells the New York Times. "“You can’t play with the honor and dignity of someone. His life was temporarily broken, his honor put into question." The news is "like a thunderbolt," says former Socialist leader Lionel Jospin. Other French politicians, however, note that the case against Strauss-Kahn is ongoing and it may be too soon to pop the champagne.

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Former IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn appears at his arraignment on charges of sexual assault early last month. (AP Photo/Allan Tannenbaum, Pool)

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I think Sarkozy and his friends are going to have a very unpleasant morning. - Socialist deputy Claude Bartolone

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 7 comments

sheilamba

Jul 2, 2011 12:50 AM CDT

At the end of the day he still had sex with a woman who was not his wife. If he says it was consensual, I wonder if he promised her money and then ran off and didn't pay her and she got mad with him? Witnesses did see her come out the room with ripped clothing and looking upset. Both parties agree that semen was found on her clothing. Check out my article with photos and video: http://www.examiner.com/top-news-in-san-francisco/ex-imf-head-dominique-strauss-kahn-released-no-bail-photos-video

fancygapva

Jul 1, 2011 10:13 AM CDT

Like Michael Jackson and OJ, if you have enough money you can do anything with impunity. Before the case "collapsed" women were crawling out of the woodwork (some closely related to him, very young) and saying he had done inappropriate things or the SAME thing as he did with the maid. He called his wife and told her he was really in trouble. The wife remarked that she understood his "needs" and as long as they love each other it's OK by her....Now, all of a sudden it's Sarkozy's fault?

Nikolai

Jul 1, 2011 9:28 AM CDT

The whole thing is a set up. Kahn even said before the incident that someone somewhere would implicate him in a crime to try to keep him out of the presidency. This is a set up by Sarkozy and his party. Kahn was accused of something similar before and has admitted he bought his way out of it. This was a convenient charge since it appeared more legit.

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As Case Implodes, Strauss-Kahn Allies Eye Presidency

Turnaround in case shakes up French politics

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Nicolas Sarkozy • France • Socialist Party • Dominique Strauss Kahn • French elections • Dominique Strauss Kahn sexual assault

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