Ex-IMF chief allies eye his political comeback

Ex-International Monetary Fund Chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn's allies say he could make a political comeback now that he is free from house arrest in the U.S.

Izvor: BBC

Saturday, 02.07.2011.

12:53

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Ex-International Monetary Fund Chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn's allies say he could make a political comeback now that he is free from house arrest in the U.S. Before being accused of sexually assaulting a hotel maid in New York on May 14, Strauss-Kahn was tipped as a possible French presidential candidate. Ex-IMF chief allies eye his political comeback But doubts have since emerged about the credibility of the maid, and the case is reportedly close to collapse. On Friday a judge ordered Strauss-Kahn released on his own recognizance. His is now free to travel in the U.S., although he cannot leave the country and must appear in court again later this month. Strauss-Kahn, who resigned as IMF head to defend himself, vigorously denies the charges. He had earlier been the favorite to be the Socialist Party's candidate for the French presidency in May 2011. The last Socialist Prime Minister, Lionel Jospin, said: "If we hypothesize that Dominique is cleared of all suspicion and all charges, which I obviously hope will happen, then it will be first down to him to decide... and then it will be down to the Socialists to decide." A Socialist MP, Jean-Marie Le Guen, said he thought it likely that Strauss-Kahn would stand. "Yes, he will be present for the presidential campaign," he said. "If what we heard... is true, that the American justice will free him and re-habilitate him, give him back his honor and dignity. Then, since Dominique Strauss-Kahn is a fighter, he will fight in our country." The list for nominations is due to close on July 13 - five days before his next scheduled court appearance. But the senior Socialist, Francois Hollande, said the deadline could be extended. A judge in New York lifted the strict bail conditions imposed on Strauss-Kahn, amid intense speculation that the sexual assault case against him was faltering. He had been under house arrest since posting a USD 6mn bail bond. When the 62-year-old appeared in court, prosecutors were forced to admit that they were reassessing the strength of the evidence against him - although the charges that he attempted to rape a hotel maid still stand. In a letter submitted to the court, the prosecutors said that the maid had given false testimony to a grand jury, omitting the fact that she had cleaned another room before alerting a supervisor to her claims of sexual assault. Dominique Strauss-Kahn (Beta, file)

Ex-IMF chief allies eye his political comeback

But doubts have since emerged about the credibility of the maid, and the case is reportedly close to collapse.

On Friday a judge ordered Strauss-Kahn released on his own recognizance.

His is now free to travel in the U.S., although he cannot leave the country and must appear in court again later this month.

Strauss-Kahn, who resigned as IMF head to defend himself, vigorously denies the charges.

He had earlier been the favorite to be the Socialist Party's candidate for the French presidency in May 2011.

The last Socialist Prime Minister, Lionel Jospin, said: "If we hypothesize that Dominique is cleared of all suspicion and all charges, which I obviously hope will happen, then it will be first down to him to decide... and then it will be down to the Socialists to decide."

A Socialist MP, Jean-Marie Le Guen, said he thought it likely that Strauss-Kahn would stand.

"Yes, he will be present for the presidential campaign," he said.

"If what we heard... is true, that the American justice will free him and re-habilitate him, give him back his honor and dignity. Then, since Dominique Strauss-Kahn is a fighter, he will fight in our country."

The list for nominations is due to close on July 13 - five days before his next scheduled court appearance. But the senior Socialist, Francois Hollande, said the deadline could be extended.

A judge in New York lifted the strict bail conditions imposed on Strauss-Kahn, amid intense speculation that the sexual assault case against him was faltering.

He had been under house arrest since posting a USD 6mn bail bond.

When the 62-year-old appeared in court, prosecutors were forced to admit that they were reassessing the strength of the evidence against him - although the charges that he attempted to rape a hotel maid still stand.

In a letter submitted to the court, the prosecutors said that the maid had given false testimony to a grand jury, omitting the fact that she had cleaned another room before alerting a supervisor to her claims of sexual assault.

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