LOC13:33
10:33 GMT
PARIS, May 15 (KUNA) -- After two terms and 12 years in office, outgoing
French President Jacques Chirac will bid the French people farewell as he
addresses the nation on national television and radio Tuesday evening before
handing over power on Wednesday to the newly elected President, Nicolas
Sarkozy.
Chirac said his goodbye to Europe from Berlin on Sunday, during which he
stressed the importance of a stronger role for Europe in a "multi polar" world.
It is expected that during his speech to the nation, Chirac will recall the
tasks and actions he has carried out during his 12 years in office and over 40
years in political life, in addition to focusing on important issues that
concern France.
Chirac is expected to hand over power to Sarkozy and leave the Elysee
Palace at 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday where it has been reported that he will
immediately go on vacation to an undisclosed destination, although there is
speculation this is likely to be Morocco.
Chirac is planning to establish a foundation later this year under his
name, focusing on issues that are dear to his heart, like the environment,
sustainable development and dialogue between cultures.
After the transition ceremony, Sarkozy will visit the Arc de Triomphe to
rekindle the flame at the tomb of the unknown soldier, as it is a French
tradition to do so. He will later travel to Berlin for talks with German
Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Sarkozy won the presidential elections on May 6, defeating socialist
Segolene Royal, and he has vowed to carry out several key reforms and called
for a special session of the National Assembly in July to pass these reforms.
This will depend on him getting a majority to support his program in the
French legislative elections which will be held June 10 and 17. Sarkozy is
opening up his cabinet to take in both opposition Socialist figures and
Centrists in an attempt to woo the electorate and show that his program is
government is not drawn up along party lines.
This strategy has already caused him some problems within the ranks of this
Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) party, with some prominent party members
saying he should look to his own supporters first before considering
"outsiders" for key cabinet posts.
Sarkozy is expected to name his cabinet later this week after taking
office, and former Social Affairs Minister Francois Fillon, 53, is expected to
be named as prime minister and former Socialist Health Minister Bernard
Kouchner, who founded the Doctors Without Borders charity, as foreign
minister. He is also said to be considering prominent Socialist and former
Education Minister Claude Allegre for the Higher Education reform job.
The new president has promised a "mini-cabinet" that consists of 15 members
with an equal number of female and male ministers, the first time France would
have gender equality in government.
He is also expected to appoint an equal number of Secretaries of State for
more junior posts.
Valery Giscard d'Estaing was the only other president to give a televised
farewell to the nation before handing over power to Socialist President
Francois Mitterrand in 1981. (end)
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