French politicians distance themselves from Chirac
{{date|March 13, 2007}}
{{France}}
In the wake of [[Jacques Chirac]]'s announcement that he will not seek re-election, [[France|French]] politicians have taken the opportunity to distance themselves from him.

[[Nicolas Sarkozy]], the frontrunner to succeed Jacques Chirac, said that he "never felt like anybody's heir" and that "France is the republic, it is not something you inherit."

French {{w|Prime minister of France|Prime Minister}} [[Dominique de Villepin]], who was also considered a potential candidate, has endorsed Sarkozy.  Villepin and Sarkozy are members of the same party, but fell out years ago.
 
Meanwhile, right-wing leader [[Jean-Marie Le Pen]] said Mr. Chirac left France in a 'catastrophic  state.' "I think Jacques Chirac was the worst president of the republic in the history of France. With him I lose my worst enemy and I'm delighted," he said. 

==Related news==
*{{wikinews|title=Jacques Chirac announces he will not pursue a third Presidential mandate|date=March 11, 2007}}

==Sources==
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6443561.stm
|title=Sarkozy signals break with Chirac
|author=
|pub=BBC News Online
|date=March 12, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2007/0312/breaking39.htm
|title=France's de Villepin endorses Sarkozy
|author=
|pub=The Irish Times
|date=March 12, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6475852,00.html
|title=French Candidates Step Away From Chirac
|author=Angela Charlton
|pub=Guardian Unlimited
|date=March 12, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6474596,00.html
|title=French PM Villepin Backs Rival Sarkozy
|author=
|pub=Guardian Unlimited
|date=March 12, 2007}}

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[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:France]]
[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:2007 French presidential election]]
[[Category:Elections]]
[[Category:Jacques Chirac]]
[[Category:Jean-Marie Le Pen]]
[[Category:Dominique de Villepin]]
[[Category:Nicolas Sarkozy]]
In the wake of Jacques Chirac's announcement that he will not seek re-election, French politicians have taken the opportunity to distance themselves from him.

Nicolas Sarkozy, the frontrunner to succeed Jacques Chirac, said that he "never felt like anybody's heir" and that "France is the republic, it is not something you inherit."

French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, who was also considered a potential candidate, has endorsed Sarkozy.  Villepin and Sarkozy are members of the same party, but fell out years ago.
 
Meanwhile, right-wing leader Jean-Marie Le Pen said Mr. Chirac left France in a 'catastrophic  state.' "I think Jacques Chirac was the worst president of the republic in the history of France. With him I lose my worst enemy and I'm delighted," he said.
Politics and conflicts France Europe 2007 French presidential election Elections Jacques Chirac Jean-Marie Le Pen Dominique de Villepin Nicolas Sarkozy