In the region, and particularly on the Côte d’Azur, DSK’s innocence was harshly shaken, but his support group held firm and today feels somewhat relieved. Nathalie Audin, a local socialist activist heavily involved in supporting the former IMF President, explains how she has experienced and continues to experience this matter daily. Will Dominique Strauss-Kahn be exonerated and attempt a candidacy in the primaries? Today, only he, and perhaps those very close to him, know his true desire…
Nice Premium: How did you react to the news of DSK’s release?
Nathalie Audin: Like many socialists and, more broadly, millions of French people, with great relief for him, Anne Sinclair, and their family. Even though the proceedings are not closed, knowing that he is free to move and likely to be exonerated marks a new step in this incredible story worthy of a suspense novel.
NP: What could this change in the process of the socialist primaries?
The reflection and reconsideration of the choice, by default, made by many staunch supporters of DSK and those within the Socialist Party who felt aligned with his reformist ideas will undoubtedly influence the primary process. To speak frankly, we are a bit lost today. Depending on our journeys, some chose to stand with Martine Aubry, and they will remain loyal to that choice, while others preferred to “go it alone” by dedicating their energy to preparing DSK’s comeback—I am thinking particularly of the supporters of Pierre Moscovici, who since last Thursday, have rallied behind François Hollande. Some decided to support Manuel Valls or Ségolène Royal; all of them are now questioning their choices. Lastly, many, including myself, have not yet made any choice and perhaps will not make one.
NP: François Hollande agrees on the date for filing candidacies but not for the primary. What do you think? Do you believe in a possible candidacy of your favorite candidate?
Martine Aubry and Ségolène Royal are also agreeable to postponing the deadline for candidacy submission, should DSK wish to run. I find this consideration normal. Today, no one knows his firm decision regarding DSK candidacy. I think it’s still possible if he feels the courage. He would also have to retain that sacred fire, that willingness to throw himself back into the arena once some semblance of calm has returned for him and his family.
He will certainly need some time to recover from this media lynching, this public fervor, this collective psychoanalysis to which he has been subjected for two months. Here is a man who has been squeezed like no other politician before him. His case is somewhat comparable to Bill Clinton’s, with the added power of global popular media. I hope that in his splendid apartment, he has managed to disconnect from the media frenzy. I do not know how anyone could endure being the target of millions who scrutinize his private life.
NP: Are you more inclined to believe in a conspiracy or just a series of unfortunate circumstances in this matter?
I do not know; I do not have all the details of the case. From the start, I have considered it a dark, sordid story. I do not understand how one of the most powerful men in the world could be so easily accessible. He could have just as easily been assassinated. I believe he was very careless with his personal protection, making him susceptible to being manipulated, deceived by an unknown person. That said, there are still strong suspicions of more organized interventions. I imagine that an investigation will also be conducted into these strange coincidences, and we will soon know all the twists and turns of this case.
Before the Sofitel incident, he analyzed his weaknesses with Claude Bartolone, who said he was troubled by his highly suspicious behavior, which was unlike him. Strangely, events played out somewhat as DSK had envisioned. It is quite troubling. Additionally, we have still not heard DSK’s version from him, nor have we heard what happened in that room from any of his lawyers.
NP: In terms of politics, what will candidates affiliated with or sympathetic to DSK, like Martine Aubry, who recently declared her candidacy, do?
Martine Aubry stated that she is continuing on her path, which is perfectly normal. She is a brave politician who skillfully led the Socialist Party since the Reims Congress. She succeeded in reforming the party at its foundations, aligning it particularly in communication, guiding it towards a true project-oriented approach, all in a relatively short time. She brought the collective back to work (which wasn’t easy, as the party is a complex mix of conflicting personal interests with a paradoxical common will), and she has no reason today to say: “well, the prodigal son has returned, I withdraw.” I am very pleased she remains committed to her path and wish her every possible success.
Pierre Moscovici seems to continue supporting François Hollande’s candidacy; I personally wish he had launched his own. We would be so much more comfortable today. He couldn’t have foreseen, within 24 hours, the course of events and had to make a decision at some point. He made a considered choice.
That said, I remind you that DSK is still far from a potential candidacy. He still has some issues with American and now French justice to resolve, and I am not sure that after all these trials, he has any desire to campaign.
NP: Like many DSK supporters, what are you hoping for on July 18th?
The total acquittal, of course, and to hear from DSK himself what really happened in that suite.
Finally, assuming DSK is a candidate, why do you think he could win these primaries or even do better?
Simply because he has all the qualities needed to pull our country out of the crisis it is sinking deeper into every day. Because I believe he is a true statesman, as rare as they are, even if he turned out to be as fragile as any other person. The media has humanized our politicians, and I am not sure that we should even want to know what Churchill, Roosevelt, or De Gaulle were like in real life; we will never know. Yet, today, we know every detail, gesture, quirk, and phobia of our contemporaries, which is a new reality in politics that we do not fully understand yet.
I do not believe in the providential man, but I believe in someone capable of activating this country’s countless resources. I believe in someone who, much like a coach in sports, can mobilize the entire population, and I believe this man is named Dominique Strauss-Kahn. I think he possesses all the necessary qualities to be our President of the Republic. He is not the only one in the Socialist Party, but I believe he is the best of all to lead France toward its future.
NP: Locally, the PS remained very (too) cautious on the DSK matter, false modesty or true strategy?
The Alpes-Maritimes federation remained faithful to the national stance of the Socialist Party and, like all socialists, awaited the judicial outcome of this case.
NP: Have you encountered many PS sympathizers convinced of DSK’s guilt, and have you seen them again since?
Some comrades were convinced of DSK’s guilt (and will always be so regardless of the outcome), and yes, obviously, I cross paths with them. But worse than those who were normally doubtful, some were in exultation, pleased that DSK had finally been neutralized! Those…
