Sarkozy’s rival had been front runner for presidential vote
The 62-year-old Socialist, who was French finance minister in the 1990s, left for Washington in late 2007 to head the International Monetary Fund just as the global economy was hit by the worst downturn since the Second World War.
The polls have consistently shown Strauss-Kahn, who has yet to officially declare his candidacy, trouncing Sarkozy and leading all other potential challengers in the presidential election next April and May.
