France's Le Worm slides off
The Sun
March 12, 2007
Spineless ... Chirac
FRENCH president Jacques Chirac — dubbed Le Worm by The Sun for his slippery diplomacy — announced his retirement last night.
Chirac, 74, made an emotional TV address to the nation, saying he would not seek a third term at elections in May.
Recent polls have shown he would have been heavily defeated if he stood again.
His popularity suffered a major setback in 2005 when France voted against an EU constitution in a referendum.
Chirac said last night: “I am proud to have served this country, which I have always loved as much as I love you, the French people.”
His career spanned 40 years.
Chirac was prime minister and mayor of Paris before becoming president in 1995.
But he was dogged by allegations of corruption.
And notorious affairs won him the nickname “Three-minute Jacques”.
A front cover of Britain's The Sun newspaper in 2003 - "Chirac Est Un Vers" - "Chirac Is A Worm."
thesun.co.uk
The Sun
March 12, 2007
Spineless ... Chirac
FRENCH president Jacques Chirac — dubbed Le Worm by The Sun for his slippery diplomacy — announced his retirement last night.
Chirac, 74, made an emotional TV address to the nation, saying he would not seek a third term at elections in May.
Recent polls have shown he would have been heavily defeated if he stood again.
His popularity suffered a major setback in 2005 when France voted against an EU constitution in a referendum.
Chirac said last night: “I am proud to have served this country, which I have always loved as much as I love you, the French people.”
His career spanned 40 years.
Chirac was prime minister and mayor of Paris before becoming president in 1995.
But he was dogged by allegations of corruption.
And notorious affairs won him the nickname “Three-minute Jacques”.
A front cover of Britain's The Sun newspaper in 2003 - "Chirac Est Un Vers" - "Chirac Is A Worm."
thesun.co.uk
