Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Dominique Strauss-Kahn might have been envied. He headed the International Monetary Fund at a crucial point in its evolution,and as it dealt with its most severe challenges since its foundation. In his early 60s,silver-haired and striking,he was expected to return in triumph to Paris in the next few months,claim the presidential nomination of the Socialist Party as his by right,and trounce incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy in next years elections. But now,as pictures of him being led around in handcuffs by the New York Police Department following his identification in a police line-up by a hotel chambermaid who had accused him of sexual assault hit the front pages in France and the world,that perfect career has come crashing down. The question is: what has Strauss-Kahn brought down with him?
He was already under fire from some parts of the French press for a lavish,un-socialist lifestyle,and because rumours were swirling about a dubious sexual history. In 2008,the IMF investigated accusations that he had abused his position while conducting an affair with a staff-member,eventually clearing him of wrongdoing other than a serious error of judgment. This new accusation featuring a naked run after a chambermaid in his 3000-a-night hotel room will cement his reputation,even if he is cleared of criminal charges. The Socialist Party will have to look elsewhere for their Sarkozy giant-killer.
