Posted on 01/11/2007 7:46:58 PM PST by jdm
Jacques Chirac failed yesterday to give his wholehearted backing to Nicolas Sarkozy, the Right's front runner in the French presidential race, refusing to rule out running for the presidency again himself in his final public address before the candidate for the Right is formally anointed on Sunday.
Jacques Chirac: 'I am going to think on it'
"When the time comes, I will let my decision be known to the French people, with only one thing in mind: national interest," Mr Chirac playfully informed journalists invited to the Elysée Palace for the traditional New Year's greetings to the press.
"It (my candidacy) merits thought, so I am going to think on it," he said.
Some had hoped that the president would take the opportunity to withdraw gracefully giving Mr Sarkozy and the ruling Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) the best possible chance of victory in the April elections. If Mr Chirac were to enter the presidential race it would be as an independent candidate and there is little chance he would win a third term.
A recent poll suggested four out of five voters do not want to see his name on a ballot sheet again. advertisement
But his candidacy, as an independent, could steal votes from the centre-right UMP party and Mr Sarkozy, who is expected to be formally anointed party presidential candidate at a rally on Sunday.
The 74-year-old Mr Chirac will not be present and has made it clear he will not be sending any message of support claiming that to do so would amount to interfering in party affairs.
He did, however, take the opportunity at the reception to deliver some veiled criticism of Mr Sarkozy, the interior minister, by repeating his warning that ministers should not neglect their government duties while campaigning.
By keeping the door open to another term, analysts say Mr Chirac appears to be ensuring that he is not written off as a lame duck in his last four months in power.
It would also ensure his voice is still heard in a presidential election debate that he says has rarely been so necessary for France.
Mr Chirac is fighting an increasingly lonely defensive action however.
His palace guard is steadily deserting him for the dynamic Mr Sarkozy and yesterday another member of the president's inner circle moved over to the Sarkozy camp.
The latest to switch is Jerome Monod, an important presidential adviser.
He joins such veteran Chirac supporters as Alain Juppé who this week officially jumped ship.
Defence minister, Michele Alliot Marie – at one stage a putative rival to Mr Sarkozy – is expected to pull out today.
A Chirac loyalist, she had threatened to run on an independent ticket.
Nicolas Sarkozy: 'Fear has receded'
The only major player left at the president's side is the prime minister, Dominique de Villepin, who has said he will go to Sunday's rally but not vote.
Mr de Villepin belongs to the UMP's traditional wing who regard Mr Sarkozy as a divisive figure whose hard-edged policies on crime, immigration and employment law will drive away moderate voters.
Meanwhile, a buoyant Mr Sarkozy gave his own press conference yesterday as interior minister, triumphantly announcing a fall in crime figures of 1.3 per cent last year compared with 2005. This, Mr Sarkozy said, amounted to a 9.4 per cent drop since 2002.
"Security has increased," he added. "Fear has receded. I have broken the feeling of resignation and hopelessness. The results are there to see."
But experts and the opposition questioned the figures, pointing out that while thefts linked to possessions such as cars might have dropped, violent crimes and attacks against people had risen sharply. Sunday's congress at Versailles, when Mr Sarkozy is expected to be officially and overwhelmingly selected, will be attended by up to 50,000 party members.
Results will be announced American-style with giant electronic graphics.
Perhaps Jaque F. Kerry can run?
LOL!
F'wance and Chirac deserve each other.
Who is going to finance his campaign? His $$$ buddy, Sadam Hussein has met his demise.
Run, Jacques, run! I want the opportunity to see you get thrown out on your ass.
French haven't weighed in with their own suggestions . . . . . . YET!!!
Who's the islamist candidate? They'll be running Fwance sooner then we think - nuclear weapons and all.
"When the time comes, I will let my decision be known to the French people, with only one thing in mind: immunity from prosecution,"
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