France's Chirac bows out of frontline politics - Yahoo! News
Chirac has served as president since 1995 and his widely expected decision to stand aside marks the end of an era for France, clearing the way for a new generation of politicians. "I will not seek your backing for a new mandate," the 74-year-old said in a televised address to the nation.
Chirac will perhaps be best remembered outside France for his denunciation of U.S. policy in Iraq and his determination to maintain his country's leading role in international affairs. But on the domestic front he introduced few meaningful reforms and leaves behind a difficult legacy for his successor, with the French economy underachieving and social tensions simmering in deprived suburbs.
Well, I will remeber him for his hipocrisy. But of course, nearly no one has heard about the French-sponsored coup d'etat in Comores Islands. You know, regime change of an Islamic terror state. No UN backing. In fact, Chirac employed mercenaries.... Have any anti-war campaigner demonstrated because of this? Ehh, no. Do Comores' citizens's lives cost less than Iraqis? No, it's just "la grandeur de la France"...
BBC has his profile. Interesting that, when young, he was interested in communism and pacifism. And, of course:
His years in office may also be remembered for his rude remarks about other countries, particularly the UK.
In 2005, for example, he said of the British "One cannot trust people whose cuisine is so bad", although Finnish food, in his well-fed opinion, was Europe's worst.
And about Spain: remember when he said that there was nothing to celebrate about the discovery and conquest of America? What happens? French people did not do it, and then you can't feel proud of it, hein?
He has also said today: "France should state the need of a strong Europe, of a political Europe, of a Europe which can guarantee our social model. It's our future which it's at stake". What social model? This? Hmm, maybe not...
Aussi en Français: Le Monde:
Jacques Chirac a également demandé à ses compatriotes de croire à la construction européenne. "La France doit affirmer l'exigence d'une Europe puissante, d'une Europe politique, d'une Europe qui garantisse notre modèle social. C'est notre avenir qui est en jeu. Portons toujours cet idéal et cette volonté", a-t-il souligné.
Le Figaro: Approuvez vous la décision de Jacques Chirac de ne pas se présenter?.
Italiano: L'addio di Jacques Chirac all'Eliseo.
Also it has been his own doing making Ivory Coast one of the most vulnerable places in the world (the 3rd in fact).
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