PARIS, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- French President Jacques
Chirac on Thursday for the first time strongly hinted in a televised interview
that he shall not be seeking a third term, and that he is ready "to serve France
in a different way" after 12 years at Presidential Palace Elysee.
"I have always tried to be of service to the French
people, and to the idea that I have had for France. If one day when I will no
longer have responsibilities of this nature, well, I will tryto serve France and
the French people in another way," declared Chirac in France 2 television
interview "Vivement dimanche" anchored by Michel Drucker to be broadcast on
Sunday.
"There is, without doubt, life after politics, until
death," added Chirac, 74, who has been a fixture in French politics for more
than 40 years.
"I will miss this residence (palace Elysee) greatly,
but I will get used to it. We must accept what destiny has decided," said French
first lady Bernadette Chirac during the same program.
These remarks were made public by the French
presidency after extracts of the interview recorded 15 days ago appeared in the
French daily Le Parisien on Thursday.
Chirac has up to now persistently refused to comment
on his intentions to run on a third term, only maintaining that he will make the
decision known in the first half of this year.
To most observers, the "window" for Chirac's formal
announcement could open after the next congress meeting of parliamentary at
Versailles, most likely on Feb. 19, where he is expected to make the
announcement.
