Dominque Strauss-Kahn will not be a Socialist presidential candidate

Dominique Strauss Kahn will not be in the running to become the Socialist Party candidate for president of France. An organiser of the Party’s primaries said the date for filing to be in the Socialist Party primary election was on Wednesday and the names are set. They do not include former IMF chief Dominique Strauss Kahn. 

© Parti Socialiste

Jean-Pierre Mignard, a member of the high authority in charge of organising the primaries confirmed this in an interview with Le Parisen newspaper on Sunday.

After sexual assault charges were brought against Strauss-Kahn in the United States, there was talk in the party of delaying the primary– as he was seen as a top contender.

But as charges were filed and the case moved forward, the party decided to keep to the dates.

The primary will be held on 9 October 2011. Six candidates are in the running, including Party Secretary Martine Aubry, former secretary Francois Hollande, former candidate Segolene Royal and three newcomers - MP Manuel Valls, Arnaud Montebourg, and Jean-Michel Baylet.

Baylet is not a socialist, but decided that running on the Radical left party would only hand votes to the far right.

Strauss-Kahn could conceivably still run as an independent. He would need to come up with 500 signatures to get on the ballot, and he has until 16 March 2012.