France: The man Sarkozy pushed aside
Dominique de Villepin has been acquitted of all charges of trying to smear Sarkozy—charges Villepin says were trumped up—and has just announced that he will run for president, said Sophie Pilgrim at France24.com.
Sophie Pilgrim
France24.com
President Nicolas Sarkozy’s archenemy is back and baying for his blood, said Sophie Pilgrim. Dominique de Villepin has been acquitted of all charges of trying to smear Sarkozy—charges Villepin says were trumped up—and has just announced that he will run for president. The two men developed their “bitter rivalry” when they were both cabinet ministers under Jacques Chirac.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Back then, Villepin seemed the natural choice to succeed as president. Tan, suave, articulate, “and hovering almost a foot above Sarkozy in height,” Villepin “would beat the current president hands down in a beauty pageant.” And unlike Sarkozy’s “cringe-inducing” speeches, Villepin’s addresses are “a joy to listen to.” When, as foreign minister in 2003, he took the lectern at the U.N. to argue against the Iraq war, the Security Council gave him a rare standing ovation.
Yet Villepin quickly disappeared from the political scene, brought down by a string of corruption scandals he claims were made up by Sarkozy’s entourage. Does he have a chance now? The day after his announcement, he was polling at just 1 percent. But that could change. Sarkozy, at this point, is “largely despised.” Villepin is charming, and the French admire charm.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
5 exclusive cartoons about Trump and Putin negotiating peace
Cartoons Artists take on alternative timelines, missing participants, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The AI arms race
Talking Point The fixation on AI-powered economic growth risks drowning out concerns around the technology which have yet to be resolved
By The Week UK Published
-
Why Jannik Sinner's ban has divided the tennis world
In the Spotlight The timing of the suspension handed down to the world's best male tennis player has been met with scepticism
By The Week UK Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published