So the Anglo Saxons have had a field day attacking Chirac as he signalled his intention to stand aside in the forth coming presidential election. Of course the French have criticised him a lot too. But their criticism is from a position of respect, not dislike. Both de Gaulle and Mitterrand were highly unpopular at the end of their stints, but that does make them unappreciated politicians today.
The crux of the Anglo Saxon criticism seems to be that he did nothing or alternatively showed no leadership. The only area he gets any credit is in foreign policy and his better reading of the Iraq situation.
I find it strange to say ‘he did little’. We have switched our currency to the Euro. When did the Brits and the Americans last enter into an internationally pooled currency? The presidential term was reduced to 5 years from 7. There was considerable privatisation. When he was prime minister he abolished exchange controls and freed prices. There was significant decentralisation. Inflation is currently running at 1%. Women have gained greater representation. There has been massif immigration. Our big companies have become truly international through aggressive growth strategies. The Airbus 380 has flown, Ariane 5 has become the heavyweight satellite launcher. The viaduct of Millau is built, TGV est is running, autoroutes have been extended. Throughout, our companies and administrations have been in an endless process of restructuring. Life expectancy has increased, cancer has become less deadly as well as our roads. Cigarettes have been loaded with punitive levels of taxation. The PAC has been reformed. The list is endless
He said himself he would have liked to have done more but this is a democracy and people get consulted on the speed they wish to move forward. In fact the truly great achievement of Jacques Chirac has been to keep the show on the road. Through all this change the country has continued to grow, democracy has been strengthened; there are no significant independence movements and we are at peace with the rest of the world. He managed to keep those wanting to go faster working as a team with those who wanted to go slower. No mean achievement.
The criticism that he gave no leadership is even wider of the mark. The French are not about to be lead in the condescending manner of Blair and Bush. No, to lead the French you do not go around telling them what to do all day. It is the surest way to achieve the opposite of your intentions. Chirac gave leadership the way the French expect to be lead, as mature adults who are free and live in a democracy. They need to be encouraged, loved, sometimes aided but it is they who will find the way forward with their infinite skills and ability. It is why France is such an efficient country, because the people truly do feel responsible for what goes on.
The strange thing about all the different articles I read in the US/UK press was that nobody took the time to explain why they actually hate the guy. Does it all come down to Iraq? Or is there something I’m missing?
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Isn't this the crux of the matter - the French have been 'lead' by Chirac (whether one likes him or not is another matter). Blair seems to have been 'leading' the English up the garden path.
Nor has Chirac trotted up the garden path at the heels of George Bush. Certain people find that hard to forgive.
Yes Bill I suspect the fact that Blair made the English look stupid and Chirac made the French look quite perceptive is part of the problem.
I well remember how a few English aquaintances vaunted the fact, just after the invasion of Iraq, that England was 'now in an incredibly powerful situation'. They have tended to avoid me in recent times.
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