Islam versus Europe

The head of the IMF, Dominique Strauss-Kahn (DSK), who was expected soon to announce his bid to become the Socialist candidate for the French presidency next year, has been arrested in New York on charges related to a sex attack.

Port Authority officers were acting on information from the New York Police Department, whose detectives had been investigating a brutal alleged attack on a woman employee at the Sofitel New York on West 44th Street in the heart of the city's theatre district.

DSK had the highest ratings of all French presidential contenders and was the main threat to Marine Le Pen. If he is taken out of the equation, Marine Le Pen's chances of winning should be greatly enhanced.

The 32-year-old woman told police that she entered Strauss-Kahn's room at about 1pm on Saturday and he emerged from the bedroom naked, threw her down and tried to sexually assault her, NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said. She broke free and escaped the room and told hotel staff what had happened who called the police.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn was the only likely presidential contender enjoying consistently higher ratings than Marine Le Pen. He was probably the only leftist candidate who might have been able to go toe to toe with her in the presidential run-off and win. With him out of the picture, the chances of Marine Le Pen winning next year look to be greatly enhanced. If Sarkozy is taken out in the first round, it will be a second-round showdown between Marine Le Pen and the Socialist candidate. Marine Le Pen will pick up many votes from the Sarkozy camp. She could win.

If Marine Le Pen does win the French Presidency next year, I think it is no exaggeration to say that the whole destiny of Europe could change. The Counterjihad could be mainstreamed. Its success in such a major country would embolden and encourage the resistance throughout Europe and might cause other parties with similar inclinations to come to power elsewhere.

It's amusing to reflect, then, on the fact that the entire destiny of European civilisation might hinge upon this grubby episode in a hotel in New York.