France's President Jacques Chirac (R) and Interior
Minister and UMP political party presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy attend a ceremony
to honour Lucie Aubrac, in the courtyard of the Invalides in
Paris March 21, 2007.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo
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PARIS,
March 21 (Xinhua) -- French President Jacques Chirac on Wednesday announced in a
televised declaration that he would give his vote to the 52-year-old Nicolas
Sarkozy, candidate of the ruling Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) in the
coming presidential elections.
"Referring to personal choices, they are simple. Five
years ago, I called for the creation of the UMP to allow France to take a
rigorous policy of modernization," Chirac said.
"In all the diversity, this political party chose to
support the candidacy of Nicolas Sarkozy in the presidential elections, because
of his personal qualities," he added.
"It's therefore natural that I will bring him my vote
and my support," Chirac said.
Chirac announced in a televised address on March 11
that he would not seek a third term in the presidential elections.
PARIS, March 21 (Xinhua) ¨C French President Jacques Chirac
on Wednesday announced in a televised speech that Interior Minister Nicolas
Sarkozy will resign from the government on March 26 to "devote himself fully" to
the presidential elections.
"With the prime minister, I met the
Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy this morning, and he informed us of his wish
to leave the government next Monday in order to devote himself fully to the
presidential campaign, " Chirac said.
PARIS, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Twelve candidates will be in
contention for the 2007 French presidential elections, the country's
Constitutional Council announced on Monday.
The council's President Jean-Louis Debre announced the
list of candidates, the order in which the names appear has been chosen by lot,
in conformity with the electoral law.
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