Dominique Strauss-Kahn is one of Europe’s premier political operators. Scandals and intrigue seem to add to his mystique, at least when it comes to French politics.
A poll was released today in France indicating that among Democratic Socialists, Strauss-Kahn is favored by 33% of those questioned. Segolene Royal pulled 14%. Bertrand Delanoe 13%. Current party leader Martine Aubry drew just 9%.
Strauss-Kahn now runs the International Monetary Fund for which G-20 nations are scrambling to expand resources. So whereas Strauss-Kahn, recently pilloried for a sex scandal involving a former staff member, came to a position that many people thought would be a dead end with the perceived decline of IMF relevance in a world glut (then) of capital.
Since the global financial crisis, the IMF is back big time — and Strauss-Kahn is surfing the waves of renewed Bretton Woods importance.
But he may just decide to leave DC while he’s ahead and go back to France to challenge Sarkozy in the next presidential elections.
If he does, he should check out the small village of Pomerol near the Medieval town of St. Emilion where I am working for a few days. I am staying at the Chateau Pomeaux and highly recommend the wine from here (great years: 1998, 2000, 2005).
— Steve Clemons
57 comments on “TWN in France: Strauss-Kahn Favored Socialist Candidate for 2012 Prez Election”