Strauss-Kahn misses filing deadline

PARIS, July 18 (UPI) -- Dominique Strauss-Kahn's name won't appear on the primary election ballot as the Socialist Party candidate for president of France, officials said.

The deadline for filing for the presidential primary has passed and the only way for Strauss-Kahn to be a candidate is if he comes up with 500 signatures as an independent candidate by March 16, 2012, Radio France Internationale reported Monday.

Strauss-Kahn was considered to be a leading candidate for the presidency until he was accused of sexual assault in New York City earlier this year.

The status of the case against the former head of the International Monetary Fund is uncertain following revelations that the hotel maid accusing him of the assault had told some lies to investigators.

The presidential primary is scheduled Oct. 9. The six candidates include Socialist Party Secretary Martine Aubry, former Secretary Francois Hollande, former candidate Segolene Royal and three newcomers: Manuel Valls, a member of Parliament, Arnaud Montebourg and Jean-Michel Baylet.