France mulls Strauss-Kahn's comeback as hotel rape case stumbles

Prior to his arrest for alleged sexual assault in May, the then managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had been seen as a possible presidential candidate for France's Socialist Party. His arrest not only forced him to resign from his post at the IMF but also appeared to put an end to whatever political aspirations he might have had. 

But on Friday, July 1, there were signs that the prosecution case against him was falling apart. As doubts emerged about the credibility of the 32-year-old Guinean luxury hotel maid's claims, Strauss-Kahn, 62 was summoned to a New York court, where he was released on his own recognizance and without bail. While he was ordered not to leave the country so that he could appear again in court later this month, he is no longer under house arrest and no longer has to wear an electric ankle bracelet.

Friday's events have led to much speculation in France that the charges against Strauss-Kahn would eventually be dropped, and sparked discussion about whether this would allow him to take a run at the Socialist presidential candidacy.

For more: France mulls Strauss-Kahn's comeback as hotel rape case stumbles | Europe | Deutsche Welle | 02.07.2011