Posted on 05/15/2007 10:44:44 PM PDT by Cincinna
PARIS, May 16, 2007 (AFP) - An era in French politics comes to an end Wednesday as Jacques Chirac steps down after 12 years as president and hands over power to rightwinger Nicolas Sarkozy.
The formal transfer will take place at 11:00 am (0900 GMT) during a short meeting at the Elysee palace. Unlike in the United States there is no swearing-in ceremony, and presidential authority is simply passed on from incumbent to successor.
In the same meeting Chirac, 74, will give Sarkozy the codes for France's nuclear arsenal before leaving the Elysee for the last time.
On Tuesday evening, the outgoing leader bid an emotional farewell to the nation, urging the people to remain "united and together" under Sarkozy.
"Tomorrow I will hand over the powers I have exercised in your name to Nicolas Sarkozy, our new president of the republic," he said in a brief televised address from the Elysee palace.
"I shall do so with pride in duty accomplished and also with great faith in the future of our country.
"This evening I want to tell you what a great honour it has been to serve you. I want to tell you how strong is the bond that from the depths of my heart unites me with every man and woman among you."
After the hand-over, the newly-installed president will be taken to the Arc de Triomphe to rekindle the flame on the tomb of the unknown soldier, in accordance with tradition.
Sarkozy will then leave on his first official task as president, flying to Berlin for talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel, before returning to Paris late Wednesday night.
The 52 year-old former interior minister was elected president on May 6, easily beating the Socialist Segolene Royal on a promise of radical economic and social change.
He has vowed to act fast in office, calling a special session of the National Assembly in July to pass a first wave of reforms -- including tax cuts, trade union reforms, new controls on immigration and tougher sentencing rules for serial offenders.
His first task is to appoint a caretaker government to lead the ruling Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) into parliamentary elections on June 10 and 17.
On Thursday Sarkozy is expected to name former social affairs minister Francois Fillon, 53, as prime minister. Fillon is seen as a calm and competent operator who successfully negotiated reforms to the pensions system in 2003.
With the full cabinet expected to be announced Thursday or Friday, several tips for ministerial posts are circulating in the Paris rumour-mill.
On Monday aides to Sarkozy said that Bernard Kouchner -- a Socialist ex-minister who founded the charity Doctors Without Borders -- was likely to accept the post of foreign minister.
This would be a major coup for Sarkozy, who is seeking to broaden the political base of his government.
The new president has promised a reduced cabinet of 15 members, with seven or eight women -- the first time France would have gender parity in government.
On leaving the Elysee, Chirac and his wife Bernadette will be taken to their new temporary home in an apartment on the river Seine overlooking the Louvre museum.
The flat has been loaned by the family of the murdered Lebanese politician Rafiq Hariri, who was a close friend of the Chiracs. They are expected to stay there until they find a place of their own in Paris.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Sarko as he assumes the heavy burden of state. We all hope he lives up to his promise as a pro-American, pro-capitalist defender of Western culture and values in the face of the Islamist threat.
Indeed, apparently living in the home of a man murdered by the enemy. Perhaps Sarkozy really does understand.
PARIS, May 15, 2007 (AFP) - French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin on Tuesday presented his resignation to President Jacques Chirac, ahead of Wednesday's handover of power to president-elect Nicolas Sarkzoy.
Villepin, who has led the government for just under two years, will stay on in his post until a successor is appointed by Sarkozy, probably on Thursday.
Francois Fillon is expected to be named as the new prime minister.
After his meeting with Chirac, the outgoing president accompanied 53-year-old Villepin out to the steps of the Elysee palace where he gave him a lengthy handshake and waved him goodbye.
After Chirac's 2002 re-election as president, Villepin was appointed foreign minister and his accomplished performance at the United Nations the next year denouncing US war aims in Iraq won him recognition around the world.
He was named prime minister after the debacle of France's rejection of the EU constitution, and initially proceeded with caution -- earning a reputation as a "social" reformer compared to his abrasively right-wing rival, the then interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy.
But his reputation nosedived after massive street protests forced him to abandon his attempts to push through minor labour reform in 2006 and due to his unclear role in a smear campaign against Sarkozy.
Good riddance.
Could only get better for France. I hope!
I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship - with Sarkozy.
No swearing in? Sounds like one of my watch turnovers in the Navy: “Here’s the keys, I had it, you got it.”
The swearing in ceremony is at 11 am, French time.
“rightwinger Nicolas Sarkozy”
“abrasively right-wing”
but GREAT news about de Villepin.
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