Jacques Chirac just passed out. He fought until his last forces against a disease that had experienced him hard and long but that he had faced with courage and dignity.
Jacques Chirac had been able to establish a personal connection with the French. He loved the people who made him in love what he had offered them in sympathy.
Jacques Chirac was a fighter. It could be sharp. He was giving blows because he had not been prepared. But as soon as it was to respond to a distress or suffering, he showed generosity that he didn’t need to show. This concern, I had been the witness in the relationship I had been able to establish with him in the last years on our land corréziennes
Jacques Chirac believed in France. Gaullist, he was attached to National Independence, close to George Pompidou he understood the role of the industry in the economy. Elected Rural, he defended our agriculture with relentless. Mayor of Paris for 18 years, he worked on the radiation of our capital.
For 12 years, he has been president of France with the will to make it respect all over the world. He had, before many others, understood the issue of global warming, Africa’s development and peace in the middle east. For this reason, he refused in 2003 to engage our country in the war in Iraq whose tragic consequences today.
Jacques Chirac was a humanist. Prime Minister of valéry giscard d ‘ estaing, he supported Simone Veil in his fight for women’s freedom of choice. Later as an MP, he voted the death penalty wanted by françois mitterrand. Then, as president, he wanted to further strengthen secularism in our republic.
Jacques Chirac was a man of culture. He had the intelligence not to report it, but he had to know the forgotten civilizations to seize wisdom. The Museum of the first arts that bears its name is the most beautiful illustration.
Jacques Chirac was a European. His conviction was established over time. At the decisive moment, forgetting the tactical imperatives, he made the choice of the euro.
Jacques Chirac was a Republican, he had always denounced xenophobic, racism and anti-Semitism. He had established some dykes. Not to separate but to name the unacceptable. He had been able to say strong words to recognize the darkest pages in our history because he was convinced that it was the best way to claim the most glorious.
He knew carnally our country. He had trampled all the terroir and had tasted all the products. He celebrated all the trades that make French know-how.
He had put his energy in the service of the major causes: Road safety, the fight against cancer and the care of disability.
At the time of leaving his office, he sent one last message to the French: “stay united and solidarity”. it is the legacy he leaves us, after a lifetime entirely dedicated to the service of our country.
I give to Bernadette Chirac, her daughter Claude and his whole family the testimony of my respect and sympathy. I know that today the French, whatever their convictions, just lost a friend.
