French president Jacques Chirac has confirmed he will not stand as a candidate in France's upcoming presidential elections, announcing the end of a 12-year rule which saw Mr Chirac resist US hegemony, defend French farmers and lose a referendum on the EU constitution. Chirac's departure marks end of EU era
By Mark Beunderman
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS
In a televised speech to the nation on Sunday evening, the veteran politician told the French that "When the mandate you gave me comes to an end, time will have come for me to serve you in another way.''
"France, my dear compatriots, I love her passionately", Mr Chirac declared while highlighting his achievements in fighting crime and unemployment and making sure that "France asserts its place in the world."
"France is not a country like others. It has particular responsibilities, the legacy of its history and the universal values it helped create", he said.
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http://euobserver.com/9/23674/?rk=1
Biography (photo source) http://www.elysee.fr/elysee/elysee.fr/anglais/the_president/biography/biography.39706.html
Please click photo for clarity.
By Mark Beunderman
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS
In a televised speech to the nation on Sunday evening, the veteran politician told the French that "When the mandate you gave me comes to an end, time will have come for me to serve you in another way.''
"France, my dear compatriots, I love her passionately", Mr Chirac declared while highlighting his achievements in fighting crime and unemployment and making sure that "France asserts its place in the world."
"France is not a country like others. It has particular responsibilities, the legacy of its history and the universal values it helped create", he said.
MORE
http://euobserver.com/9/23674/?rk=1
Biography (photo source) http://www.elysee.fr/elysee/elysee.fr/anglais/the_president/biography/biography.39706.html
Please click photo for clarity.