Almost every time I look at the news, I find myself astonished, horrified or both. On this occasion, it's very definitely both.
Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Head of the International Monetary Fund, has been arrested in New York following various allegations including attempted rape; the charges have reportedly been laid by a chambermaid at a prestigious hotel in the city and Mr Strauss-Kahn apparently spent last night in a prison cell.
The charges may, of course, be spurious and Mr Strauss-Kahn may be wholly innocent, but it is, to say the least, worrying that the head of such a vitally important international organisation can get himself involved in such a scandalous affair. What is even more worrying is that this man has been seen as being the front-runner for the Socialist party in the next French Presidential election, though my concern is not what may be suspected.
The International Monetary Fund has huge influence throughout the world, vast resources at its disposal and should be, largely, politically neutral. That its Head is someone still active in politics within his own country is surely utterly unacceptable; to my mind, this renders the IMF's stance on international economic issues highly questionable. With an active politician in charge, will the Fund not be more likely to follow policies that support his ideological viewpoint ? Might it not temper its statements regarding his own country and be more outspoken about countries seen to be political rivals ? Might it not, in fact, make judgements and decisions that specifically help his proposed candidacy for the French Presidency ?
Whether or not Mr Strauss-Kahn is guilty of the alleged offences, his position as Head of the IMF is surely untenable.Whether or not the French people will still be prepared to consider him as a potential President will say as much about them as about him.
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