BBC Learning English
Words in the News
4

th

July 2011

Strauss-Kahn presidential comeback 'unlikely'

Words in the News

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2011

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bbclearningenglish.com

Dominique Strauss-Kahn is unlikely to run for the French presidency despite surveys that

suggest he would still prove popular. On Friday the former IMF chief was freed from his

strict bail conditions on the request of the prosecution who now doubt the reliability of the

accuser and their main witness. This report is from Christian Fraser:

It is extraordinary to think he is even being mooted as a potential candidate. But such was the

outpouring of relief in Socialist circles on Friday that speculation was rife over the weekend

that Mr Strauss-Kahn may return as a surprise candidate for next year's presidential election.

The snap polls that followed Friday's dramatic events in court revealed 49% of French voters

favour his return, against 45% opposed. And on the left 60% of people suggest they would

support him.

Today while not ruling out a political future for the former IMF chief, the party spokesman,

Benoit Hamon, said the idea that Mr Strauss-Kahn could now run for the presidency was "the

weakest" of all possible scenarios.

But he also made it clear that the leadership would not necessarily block a late entry to the

party ballot.

The list for the Socialist candidates closes on the 13th and in theory Mr Strauss-Kahn can put

his name forward, even if he is not released by the deadline.

Mr Strauss-Kahn would certainly be a gamble, but the current crop of front runners do not

unite or inspire the party as Mr Strauss-Kahn did before his arrest. The direction of the polls

in the next few weeks, and the events in court, could yet prove crucial.

Christian Fraser, BBC News, Paris

Words in the News

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2011

Page 2 of 2

bbclearningenglish.com

Vocabulary and definitions

mooted

suggested

the outpouring of relief

the strong expression of thanks that an unpleasant situation

has ended

speculation was rife

there were a lot of ideas and guesses about what might

happen next

snap polls

surveys of public opinion that took place very quickly

ruling out

deciding that something is definitely not going to happen

scenarios

options for what might happen in the future

The list

The names of people registered to be part of something

put his name forward

become an official candidate

a gamble

something that is risky and not certain to be successful

the current crop of front

runners

the candidates who are most likely to be successful

More on this topic:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13405268

Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2011/07/110704_witn_strauss_kahn.shtml