High Anxiety In Paris

Even the French were amazed. Instead of battling to defend his privilege and position as many have before him, French Finance Minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigned on Nov. 2 amidst preliminary allegations of wrongdoing, insisting it was the proper thing to do. His swift departure marks a symbolic shift in the behavior of France's ruling elite, who have long cultivated the art of squelching judicial investigations and fighting to retain power at all costs. "French society is evolving profoundly," says Jean de Maillard, a judge and president of the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Blois.

Strauss-Kahn may still clear his name. On Oct. 14, a former senior official of MNEF, a student insurance fund whose former managers are under investigation, claimed Strauss-Kahn backdated letters regarding fees for $97,000 in work for the fund. This led investigators to suspect the work was never performed. Laboratory tests ordered by investigating magistrates have confirmed that documents were altered, according to reports.