THE PUNCHLINES OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT

JACQUES CHIRAC

Here is an anthology:

Our house burns

"Our house is burning and we are looking elsewhere. The mutilated, overexploited nature can no longer reconstitute itself and we refuse to admit it. [...] Earth and humanity are in danger and we are all responsible for it "(Johannesburg Earth Summit, 2 September 2002)

Rafle of the Vel d'Hiv 'Yes, the criminal madness of the occupant was seconded by the French, by the French State. [...] Fatherland of the Light and the rights of the man, land of reception and asylum, France, that day, carried out the irreparable. Missing her word, she delivered her proteges to their executioners "(Recognizing the collaboration of France with Nazi Germany during the Winter Velodrome Rally, July 16, 1995)

What do you want?

"What do you want? Do you want to go back to France? Is that what you want? Let them go, let them do. "(" What do you want? That I go back to my plane and I come back to France? That's what you want? Let them go, let them do it ") (Altercation with Israeli security services interposed between him and the Arab population in the Old City of Jerusalem, October 22, 1996)

Household

"What more does she want, this housewife? My balls on a platter? "(At a European summit, Jacques Chirac, then Prime Minister, does not know that his microphone remained open and gets carried away against his British counterpart Margaret Thatcher, February 1988)

Immigration

"Our problem is not foreigners, it's overdose. [...] How do you want the French worker who works with his wife and who, together, earn about 15,000 francs, and who sees on the landing next to a family with a father, three or four wives? , and a score of kids, and who earn 50'000 francs of social benefits, without naturally working! If you add to that the noise and the smell, well the French worker goes crazy! [...] And it's not to be racist to say that "(Dinner-debate with activists of his party, June 19, 1991)

The pug

"It is certainly not you, Mr. Fabius, who will destabilize me. Be nice to let me talk and stop intervening shortly, a little like the pug! (In October 1985, Jacques Chirac inflicts on Laurent Fabius, then Prime Minister, a daring reframing on the set of TF1)

Apples

"It's primarily because I like apples a lot, I'm an apple eater. (In 1995, he released a book, La France pour tous , whose cover depicts an apple tree.) Questioned about this choice by Alain Duhamel, Jacques Chirac simply explains it in this way.A sentence that will become the slogan "Eat apples" under the pen of Guignols de l'info, and which, according to some observers, will contribute to his victory in the 1995 presidential election.)

Far right

"I can not accept the banalisation of intolerance and hatred" (Justifying his refusal to debate with the president of the National Front (FN, extreme right) Jean-Marie Le Pen, his opponent in the second round of the election presidential election, 23 April 2002)

Travel paid in cash

"It's not that they are deflating, it's that they (sums) are pschitt, if you allow me this expression." (TV interview at the presidential palace, July 14, 2001)

A staggering story

"I am indignant at the process, indignant at the lie, indignant at the outrage ... There must be limits to the slander ... Today we are reporting a history that is staggering." (In September 2000, during of an interview on France 3, Jacques Chirac questioned on the occult financing of his party, the RPR, revealed by Jean-Claude Méry, a member of the central committee of the party.)

Sarkozy

"I decide and it executes" (Refocusing Nicolas Sarkozy, then his Minister of Finance, July 14, 2004)

"Sarkozy, have to step on him. And left foot, it brings good luck. "

Holland

"I can say that I will vote Holland!" (June 11, 2011 in Corrèze, about François Hollande, socialist candidate for the French presidential election of 2012 and while Nicolas Sarkozy is also candidate.The entourage of the former president will speak " of Corrèze humor »)

After two terms, ie twelve years at the helm of the country, Jacques Chirac gives his last official speech of President of the Republic. In this last emotionally charged address, the Head of State declares to the French:

"Not a moment, you have not ceased to live in my heart and mind. Not a minute, I have not stopped acting to serve this beautiful France. This France that I love as much as I love you.