Even if it turns out that he is innocent, it does not appear as though he will be cleared of this any time soon. With the Greek bailout talks faltering, the IMF needs leadership and he is not a realistic option in these circumstances.
Pressure is building on Dominique Strauss-Kahn to resign as head of the International Monetary Fund, with the US treasury chief and European finance ministers questioning if he can carry on in the light of his arrest.In France this continues to be the news story in the media. Politicians having affairs is uninteresting to the public but serious charges like this makes it different. The fact that it is happening during an election year in a country known for dirty tricks on the campaign trail does leave many wondering. For the average observer though, sure, he looks bad but there are enough small side issues that raise doubts. That said, even if it was a setup, was he really unable to avoid temptation? Or, is this a sign of a much larger illness? So many questions and we won't have answers for a long time but any outcome would not be a complete surprise.
In a speech in New York on Tuesday, Tim Geithner, the US treasury secretary, said Strauss-Khan was "obviously not in a position to run the IMF". He said: "I think it's important that the board of the IMF formally put in place for an interim period somebody to act as managing director."
Geithner's comments came after Austria's finance minister, Maria Fekter, and others, said Strauss-Kahn was damaging the IMF: "Considering the situation, that bail was denied, he has to figure out for himself, that he is hurting the institution," she told journalists at a meeting of European finance ministers in Brussels.
It should be noted that a poll today shows that 57% of the people in France believe this is a conspiracy. Obviously the poll proves neither guilt nor innocence but it does provide a view into where people are on this in France.
