‘Party’ over: DSK misses France prez-primary deadline Crime News

July 17th, 2011 by Caitlin Bartley

‘Party’ over: DSK misses France prez-primary deadline

It’s official — former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn can say au revoir to a Socialist Party spot on France’s presidential primary ballot.

A party official said yesterday that the beleaguered Strauss-Kahn, 62, facing charges that he sexually assaulted a Manhattan hotel maid, will not be their candidate.

Strauss-Kahn missed the Wednesday deadline to run in the October primary.

There had been talk of delaying the primary after sexual-assault charges were brought against Strauss-Kahn in May, when he was a top presidential contender.

But after charges were filed and the case moved forward, the party decided to keep to the Oct. 9 date.

Before his arrest, Strauss-Kahn had topped the polls in France and was seen as the man who could lead the Socialist Party back to power.

But after pictures of a handcuffed Strauss-Kahn were distributed tout le monde, his political career seemed to be going up in flames.

Strauss-Kahn’s future was taken off life support after the Manhattan DA’s case against him began to crumble amid concerns about his accuser’s credibility.

Strauss-Kahn could conceivably still run as an independent. He would need to come up with 500 signatures to get on the ballot, and he has until March 16, 2012.

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