Chirac's bittersweet Sarkozy reference
Source: Agencies |
June 10, 2011, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FORMER French president Jacques Chirac says in memoirs to be published this month that his successor Nicolas Sarkozy is one of the best politicians of his generation but he could not trust him.
Chirac, president for the 12 years before Sarkozy took office in 2007, explains how little the two men had in common.
"Trust cannot be decreed but it is an absolute necessity. There were too many grey areas and misunderstandings between Nicolas Sarkozy and me to fully meet that prerequisite," he writes in extracts from the book.
Chirac says that was why he considered but ultimately opted not to name Sarkozy prime minister in 2002, even if he admired the energy, media mastery and tactical strength of "one of the most talented politicians of his generation."
Sarkozy served as finance and interior minister under Chirac but has never matched his predecessor's natural ability to endear himself to the French people.
With his ratings hovering just above their lowest since he took power, Sarkozy faces a tough battle for re-election in 2012 against a resurgent left with the far-right eating into his core support base.
Chirac, president for the 12 years before Sarkozy took office in 2007, explains how little the two men had in common.
"Trust cannot be decreed but it is an absolute necessity. There were too many grey areas and misunderstandings between Nicolas Sarkozy and me to fully meet that prerequisite," he writes in extracts from the book.
Chirac says that was why he considered but ultimately opted not to name Sarkozy prime minister in 2002, even if he admired the energy, media mastery and tactical strength of "one of the most talented politicians of his generation."
Sarkozy served as finance and interior minister under Chirac but has never matched his predecessor's natural ability to endear himself to the French people.
With his ratings hovering just above their lowest since he took power, Sarkozy faces a tough battle for re-election in 2012 against a resurgent left with the far-right eating into his core support base.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
