Mar 12, 2007

Jacques Chirac to step down as leader of France

Jacques Chirac (pictured) announced he would not seek reelection next month after 45 years in front-line politics.

Chirac, 74, has served as head of state since 1995 and leaves behind a checkered record that consists as much of symbolic gestures as concrete policies.

Socialists will hope he is succeeded by another permissive president who will allow further political drifting to the left.

What the country needs is a forceful leader who will nurture capitalism before France has a complete financial collapse.

A more pressing problem facing the new president is out of control immigration from the Mid-East.

Chirac leaves a difficult legacy for his successor, with the economy underachieving, the state heavily indebted, unemployment stubbornly high, and social tensions still simmering after 2005 rioting in poorer suburbs.

The decline of France under the leadership of Jacques Chirac is nearly immeasurable.

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