Re: The 72-year-old head of state has been off balance ever since voters defied him by rejecting the European Union constitution in May.
Well, I've already debunked the notion that "voters defied Chirac" by rejecting the EU Constitution --they were actually manipulated by Chirac, and cunningly so:
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Re: His few defenders said Chirac was simply following a tradition among French presidents who like to hover loftily above the political fray.
That's also my interpretation. However, it's not just a question for President Chirac to "hover loftily above the political fray" --it's more importantly a question of not squandering the presidential credibility.... I mean, Interior Minister Sarkozy has been criss-crossing France ever since the riots broke out, making bold declarations, issuing threats, etc. --to no avail, so far. Ditto with Prime Minister de Villepin. But those are mere executants of the President's guidelines --both can be removed from office if they can't make it. Reshuffling the French government will not (never has) trigger(ed) a political crisis.... But if the President himself --that is, France's highest authority-- speaks and is not heeded THEN we're in trouble. Hence Chirac's cautious, seemingly reluctant, comment on the current unrest. Of course, many are frustrated with such a diffident attitude by the President --especially a President who casts himself as a Gaullist and heir to General de Gaulle. But then again, the riots, so far, have not turned into a bloodshed similar to the Algerian crisis and, therefore, don't call for a larger-than-life statesman à la de Gaulle to overcome them. To be sure, the French riots are worrying, baffling, spectacular --yet bloodless....
Gus |
