Regards, Ivan
Posted on 05/31/2005 11:48:32 AM PDT by MadIvan
Dominique de Villepin has been named as France's new prime minister after Jean-Pierre Raffarin became the first casualty of the humiliating EU referendum defeat.
Jacques Chirac, French president, appointed Mr de Villepin shortly after accepting Mr Raffarin's resignation.
It came two days after French voters overwhelming rejected the EU constitution.
Mr Villepin had been the interior minister and is noted for leading France's opposition to the US-led war in Iraq during a spell as foreign minister.
He will be charged with giving the "fresh impetus" to government policy which Mr Chirac promised after the shock defeat, a result widely seen as a snub of the government's economic policies.
The president is due to address the nation later today and lay out a policy "road map" for the new team, which will hope to govern France until presidential and parliamentary elections in 2007.
Mr Villepin had been widely tipped to replace the unpopular Mr Raffarin, whose economic reforms and poor record on jobs were blamed for the scale of Sunday's referendum defeat.
Mr Raffarin, in a short address after his resignation, said he had worked with the "principles of collective responsibility".
"I have worked with all my energy to push our government forward with ... the important message in social security."
He said he was "proud of the crucial stages" made in healthcare and in trying to "bring down employment significantly".
The full government line-up is expected to be announced tomorrow, with some political commentators predicting a slimmed down cabinet.
Regards, Ivan
Ping!
Straw takes war to the French in vitriolic United Nations tirade
Just remember what a snake De Villepin was and is.
Regards, Ivan
"Very nice move, Jacques - France's government is going to be the anal orifice of Europe."
More like: The current French Goverment is like a big boil on the anus of Europe, and the boil needs to be lanced.
What irritates me the most is that Chirac has learned absolutely nothing from this vote. The French public finally revolted against the ossified, arrogant establishment, and what does Chirac do? He puts an even worse example of that same establishment in the Prime Minister's office than what had been in previously.
I'm beginning to wonder if the French would have been better off if they had voted in Le Pen the last time.
Regards, Ivan
ChIraq will try to blame GW, Tony and the Iraq war for his defeat. Calling his vile troll up to this position shows that ChIraq will not change inspite of the voters.
Pray for W and Our Troops
Jack seems to have held on to his his job by Bush bashing so this appointment isn't that big of a surprise . Try to hold on to some hate America voters... ???
Il n'y a pas d'honte être français. Il y a seulement l'honte dans rester de français.
(There is no shame in being French. There is only shame in staying French.)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
On the contrary, the French people now have reason to be proud. Just their leaders are thorough rotters. It's time for a traditional angry French mob to storm the Elysee Palace.
Regards, Ivan
It is a development, however. One sees a French government that was arrogant, back-biting, duplicitous, and obstructive turning into a new one that is obstructive, duplicitous, back-biting, and arrogant. Plus ca change, plus ce la meme chose...
They did the right thing for the wrong reasons. Fine, they still did the right thing but it doesn't give me much hope for turning things around in France. You are right about the leaders being rotters. Your average Frenchman is a pretty decent chap and a good fellow to talk with about wine, food, and women. They are scared about the muslim invasion much as the mexican invasion is starting to get under the skin of the average american. Who will be the new Charles Martel?
BTW - I like your idea about the French mob. I'd pay to see that.
Il n'y a pas d'honte être français. Il y a seulement l'honte dans rester de français.
(There is no shame in being French. There is only shame in staying French.)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
Brilliant move. Dominique The Village pinhead can start rewriting the EU constitution using his inimitable poetic talents.
Every time I see De Villepin I think of Straw. It was masterful.
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