Poll Shows 72% Believe Chirac Has Lost Authority
President Jacques Chirac will celebrate his 73rd birthday tomorrow knowing that 72% of the French believe he now has little or no influence over the country.
President Jacques Chirac will celebrate his 73rd birthday tomorrow knowing that 72% of the French believe he now has little or no influence over the country.
A poll for the daily Le Parisien showed yesterday that even in his ruling party, the UMP, only 43% of voters feel Mr Chirac plays a major role in France.
His authority was undermined by France's rejection of the EU constitution and this month's urban violence. But commentators warn against writing him off too soon. "Everyone recognises the Chirac page has been turned," one said. "But everyone's afraid of the old lion's last roar."
A poll for the daily Le Parisien showed yesterday that even in his ruling party, the UMP, only 43% of voters feel Mr Chirac plays a major role in France.
His authority was undermined by France's rejection of the EU constitution and this month's urban violence. But commentators warn against writing him off too soon. "Everyone recognises the Chirac page has been turned," one said. "But everyone's afraid of the old lion's last roar."
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