The stunning arrest of IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn in connection with a sexual assault in New York is throwing the French presidential race into disarray. Some rivals and political observers said it could bury any presidential bid by Strauss-Kahn, considered the strongest potential challenger to unseat the unpopular President Nicolas Sarkozy in next year's election. Others urged caution pending further investigation into the alleged assault by Strauss-Kahn, an accomplished politician and economist who has been in the French public eye for decades. A few even suggested that Strauss-Kahn may have been set up. The arrest also shook up talks that Strauss-Kahn was having in Europe this week about the euro currency crisis and more aid to debt-laden Greece. Strauss-Kahn is facing arraignment on charges of attempted rape and a criminal sex act involving a maid in a New York hotel. He was whisked off an Air France plane amid the police investigation.