Paris
The party founded by President Jacques Chirac nominated Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy for president this week—without Chirac’s endorsement. Sarkozy was the unopposed choice of the center-right Popular Movement, which Chirac started in 2002 after his Rally for the Republic party collapsed amid financial scandal. Chirac, though, is no fan of Sarkozy, and considers him obnoxious and divisive. Chirac didn’t even show up at the party conference to preside over the nomination. Sarkozy is set to face Socialist Ségolène Royal in the presidential election this spring—a contest the French are already calling Sarko vs. Ségo. Chirac, 74, says he’s “still thinking” about running for a third term, this time as an independent.
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