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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Chirac will not seek fresh term | Chirac will not seek fresh term |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Veteran French President Jacques Chirac has confirmed in a TV address that he will not be seeking a third term in office in April's election. | |
| Mr Chirac, 74, has been president since 1995 and has had a political career spanning four decades. | Mr Chirac, 74, has been president since 1995 and has had a political career spanning four decades. |
| "The moment has come for me to serve you in a different way," he said. | |
| Recent polls show Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy has a narrow lead over his Socialist rival, Segolene Royal, ahead of the 22 April poll. | Recent polls show Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy has a narrow lead over his Socialist rival, Segolene Royal, ahead of the 22 April poll. |
| Mr Sarkozy, who has won backing from the governing centre-right UMP party, said he hoped to receive Mr Chirac's endorsement. | Mr Sarkozy, who has won backing from the governing centre-right UMP party, said he hoped to receive Mr Chirac's endorsement. |
| Mr Chirac told the nation in his Sunday evening address that he would continue to work "for the greatness of France". | |
| "In a different way, but with the same enthusiasm, and the same passion to work for you, I will continue to take part in our shared struggles - my life struggle - for justice, for progress, for peace, for the greatness of France," he said. |