Dominique Strauss-Kahn, his presidential hopes shattered by a sex assault scandal that rocked his homeland, returned on Sunday to France facing a frosty public reception and unease among his political allies.
The former IMF chief arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport at about 7 am with his wife Anne Sinclair. Police escorts whisked the couple through the terminal, past waiting media, and into a car.
Dressed in a suit and smiling, Strauss-Kahn arrived at his apartment in the luxurious Place des Vosges Square in central Paris an hour later. He waved, but made no comment as he pushed through a sea of flashing media cameras.
"I am thinking about his joy, and that of Anne Sinclair, to be back here - that's already a lot," Jack Lang, a left-wing former culture and education minister and a neighbor of the couple, told reporters in the Place des Vosges.
"What we owe him, as socialists and friends, is to greet him here with warmth, friendship and joy."
But another resident of Strauss-Kahn's apartment building could be heard in the interior courtyard yelling: "You are a disgusting creature. Go and get cured somewhere else."
Strauss-Kahn's public relations team told journalists at the square he would not make any statement on Sunday.
His homecoming marks the end of a three-month struggle through New York's criminal court system after he was charged with attempting to rape a New York hotel maid. The case was dropped after her credibility was thrown into doubt.
His Socialist Party allies have cheered the withdrawal of charges against the man formerly tipped as a possible favorite to win the 2012 presidential election, but the damage to his image from the affair make his future unclear.
Questions:
1. Where is Strauss-Kahn’s homeland?
2. What time did he arrive at Charles de Gaulle?
3. What was he tipped to win in 2012?
Answers:
1. France.
2. 7 am.
3. Presidential election.
(中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑)
About the broadcaster:
Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.