DOMINIQUE STRAUSS-KAHN’S hopes of challenging Nicolas Sarkozy for the French presidency in 2012 received a boost yesterday when a new poll showed a majority of left-wing voters believe he is best placed to beat the incumbent.
The survey for Le Figarofound that 65 per cent of left-wing voters believe the socialist former finance minister and current head of the International Monetary Fund "can defeat Nicolas Sarkozy". Mr Strauss-Kahn's rivals for the Socialist Party's nomination fared poorly by comparison, with leader Martine Aubry at 34 per cent, former presidential candidate Ségolène Royal at 23 per cent and former leader François Hollande at 14 per cent.
While most polls over the past year have shown Mr Strauss-Kahn to be the general public’s preferred challenger to Mr Sarkozy in 2012, his popularity has been generally lower among left-wing voters than in the population at large. Most analysts believe DSK, as he is known, will only declare his candidature if he is certain to secure the socialist nomination, which will be decided in a primary next year.
Asked which of the four socialist front-runners had the stature of a president, Mr Strauss-Kahn was chosen by 63 per cent – far more than opted for Ms Aubry (34 per cent), Ms Royal (23 per cent) and Mr Hollande (14 per cent).
So far Mr Strauss-Kahn has given little indication of whether or not he intends to step down from his post at the IMF a year before his term ends to contest the presidential election.
In an interview with Le Mondeyesterday, he said he was "obviously pleased" with his strong showing in the polls but was concentrating on his work in Washington.
“It shows that the French have not forgotten me; I haven’t forgotten them,” he said.
“But I have enough experience to look at polls with caution.”
The latest poll shows how Mr Strauss-Kahn’s international profile and economic credentials have helped his fortunes at home, with 56 per cent of left-wing voters deeming him the most likely candidate to restore France’s position in the world.
He is also perceived to be distant from people’s daily concerns, however, with just 26 per cent feeling he is close to them, compared to 38 per cent for Ms Aubry and 28 per cent for Ms Royal.
In the poll Ms Aubry emerged as the most likely socialist nominee in the event that her party colleague opts to stay in Washington.