In need of French President

It was hardly unexpected, but after more than four decades in public life, French president Jacques Chirac addressed the nation to say he will not run again.

Jacques Chirac says that, he will not solicit their votes for a new term. In a different fashion but with enthusiasm, he will continue to lead the fights that he had led his life.

It was an emotional moment for Chirac’s, political life had at its base his image as an approachable and affable every man. And not above the temptation of an extra helping of pate or a glass of wine. But he was criticized for his failed attempts to change and modernize France. The outgoing president said he wished he could have done more.

He said that he would have preferred to do more to shake up conservatism and self-centeredness in order to respond more rapidly to the difficulties that some of them are facing every day.

One of his deepest regrets was his failure to convince his countrymen to accept a constitution for Europe. He apologized to other European leaders that he was unable to better influence the outcome.


It may be interesting to know how Chirac may influence the election of his successor. He did not endorse his protege, Nicolas Sarkozy. Instead, he at least kept his options opened to endorse the up and coming candidacy of Francois Bayrou by reminding the French that they should support those who can bring unity and not political extremism. Bayrou has built his campaign on this fact. As the opinion polls continue to indicate the fortunes of socialist candidate Segolene Royal are falling, the centrist undecided vote is becoming more and more important. As for the outgoing president, he promised to continue to fight for justice, peace and the grandeur of France.

For months, Chirac's aides have been predicting privately that the president would wait until the very last moment before announcing that he would not run in order to avoid a period of political uncertainty. But now France faces just that, because of the ever-tightening race among those candidates who would like to be his successor.