IMF Chief to Force Maid to Perform Oral Sex

The arrest could throw the long-divided Socialists back into disarray about who they could present as Sarkozy's opponent. Even some of his adversaries were stunned.

'It's totally hallucinating. If it is true, this would be a historic moment, but in the negative sense, for French political life,' said Dominique Paille, a political rival to Strauss-Kahn on the centre right, on BFM television.

Still, he urged, 'I hope that everyone respects the presumption of innocence. I cannot manage to believe this affair.'

Candidates need to announce their intentions this summer to run in fall primary elections.

'If he's cleared, he could return - but if he is let off only after four or five months, he won't be able to run' because the campaign will be too far along, said Jerome Fourquet of the IFOP polling agency.

'I think his political career is over,' Philippe Martinat, who wrote a book called DSK-Sarkozy: The Duel, told The Associated Press.

'Behind him he has other affairs ... I don't see very well how he can pick himself back up.'