May 31, 2005
WELL THAT WAS FUN, BUT NOW IT'S BACK TO BUSINESS
De Villepin appointed French PM (BBC, May 31st, 2005)
Dominique de Villepin has been named as France's new prime minister, following the country's rejection of the EU constitution in Sunday's referendum.The former interior minister replaces Jean-Pierre Raffarin, who tendered his resignation following the vote. [...]
Mr de Villepin is best known abroad for expressing France's implacable opposition to the war in Iraq at the United Nations, and is likely to go down well with European allies.
He is also regarded as a consensual politician and is personally loyal to Mr Chirac.
But the BBC's Caroline Wyatt in Paris says that as a career diplomat never elected to public office, he of all candidates most typifies the French elite so roundly rejected by the French people on Sunday.
Isn’t this like trying to placate the mob by appointing Cardinal Richelieu?
Posted by Peter Burnet at May 31, 2005 9:26 AMNo, because Richelieu was a competent elitist, something the French haven't had as head of government ever since the Cardinal died.
Posted by: Peter at May 31, 2005 12:45 PMMy father chastised you whips, I will chastise you with scorpions.
Posted by: Robert Schwartz at May 31, 2005 12:47 PMAnd so the kingdom split in two....
In the case of France, perhaps about five?
Posted by: jim hamlen at May 31, 2005 1:52 PMWe're now due for the return of the clarification "...,who is a man" so helpful during the UN debates about invading Iraq.
Posted by: John J. Coupal at May 31, 2005 3:55 PMMetaphorically, Chirac has just gone into the bunker.
(Though it may not stay metaphorical for long.)
Posted by: Barry Meislin at June 2, 2005 10:38 AM