May 16, 2007

Jacques Chirac

Jacques Chirac said goodbye to us on the television last night and today, May 16, he will officially give over to Nicolas Sarkozy.

What will we remember from his 12 years reign?

-He admitted that France had its responsibility in the deportation of Jews.
-He suspended the military service.
-He dissolved the National Assembly without having to. The opposition gained, forcing him to co-govern with the socialists.
-He was against the US intervention in Iraq.

What else? Especially seen from abroad?

14 comments:

Olivier said...

12 ans de chirac, personnellement je suis content de passer à autre chose (meme si malheureusement c'est Sarko). Je garderais de chirac, ce superbe musée (pour les expositions, mais pas pour l'architecture) des arts premiers quai branly

Dina said...

I'm afraid I don't follow politics so much , maybe I will start now so I can give you feedback!!

hpy said...

J'ai apprécié son discours.

Anonymous said...

I was interested to read that you used the word 'reign' - lapsus révélateur ?

Anonymous said...

Oui Olivier, on pourra sans doute rajouter le musée des arts premiers, c'est une constante chez nos présidents, depuis Pompidou et son musée d'art moderne, de vouloir laisser une trace architecturale. Bien sûr, Mitterand y a excellé...

Chuckeroon said...

Tks for a rapid response to R u T this morning!!!! I guess you're having early lunch.

I deleted 3 responses to your question. It's too hard to be fair, but also highly critical.

France, as a nation, has to wake up and realise that it has wasted 12 years. It is also time that it stopped claiming to be "European" but still continuing to impose "not in France" exceptions.

I say that with great respect - I want to see France comfortable and at peace with itself - not in a miserable turmoil.

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Cergie said...

Le musée dit "Chirac" en effet. Des arts premiers.
Et aussi la reconnaissance du génocide Arménien.
Et puis peut être la limitation des surfaces des appartements de fonction des ministres
Du coup puisque tu parles de Versailles, le Sénat a rendu ses locaux qu'il avait là bas.

isa said...

Well, since you've asked ;-)
Listening to pundits, Chirac left "a bitter-sweet taste in the American mouths".
Personally, I have little respect for the man, even though we both oppose the Iraqi war.
However, I am opposed to it on moral grounds, his concern is purely monetary...

Anonymous said...

I did not harbor any misgivings about the man. He seemed to me to be OK but then I don't follow politics much after we got President Bush the second. I lost interest in most politicians here and have placed them in a slot somewhat lower than a used car salesman and about equal to some preachers.

I like the charicature too.

black feline said...

im afraid...we are not really in tune with politics from that part of the world. Frankly, i think in general...european leaders are not doing enuff on the world platform..very conservative and inward looking.

alice said...

J'ai été très étonnée de voir l'émotion de certains à son départ de l'Elysée ce matin...et choquée de l'entendre déclarer hier qu'il était "fier du devoir accompli". C'est vraiment l'hôpital qui se moque de la charité. J'espère que certaines choses peuvent encore changer, à suivre...

Zhang Chunhong said...

Il a qualifié l'armée en terre cuite (terra cotta) de Xi'an (Chine) de huitième merveille du monde.

Peter said...

Zhang:

... et il avait raison!