N.Y/PARIS – Allies of former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn have said he could make a political comeback in France now he has been freed from house arrest in the US, the BBC informs. Before being accused of sexually assaulting a hotel maid in New York on 14 May, Strauss-Kahn was tipped as a possible French presidential candidate. 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 recognisance. His is now free to travel in the US, although he cannot leave the country and must appear in court again later this month. Strauss-Kahn, who resigned as head of the International Monetary Fund to defend himself, vigorously denies the charges. Strauss-Kahn had earlier been the favourite to be the Socialist Party’s candidate for the French presidency in May 2011.
The list for nominations is due to close on 13 July – five days before his next scheduled court appearance. But the senior Socialist, Francois Hollande, said the deadline could be extended.
