Word: premier
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Jacques Chirac was all smiles last week as he addressed a nationwide television audience from the reception chamber of Paris' grandiose, 19th century city hall. As mayor of Paris and the outspoken leader of the conservative Rally for the Republic party, Chirac only hours before had been named Premier by Socialist President Francois Mitterrand. For the first time in the 28-year history of the Fifth Republic, the nation's President was forced to preside over a government formed by a political rival and ideological foe. "The French must understand," Chirac declared, "that the moment has come...
...French call the pairing of a leftist President with a conservative legislature cohabitation, or, loosely, "living together." For all its colorful connotations, the term fails to answer certain fundamental questions. How much power, for example, would a conservative Premier have in foreign affairs, a field traditionally dominated by the French President? Would Mitterrand be compelled to relinquish any of his key powers, which include the right to dissolve parliament and the overseeing of national defense? Warns Jean Boissonnat, editor of the biweekly business magazine L'Expansion: "Unlike past elections, each of which brought a particular debate to a close, this...
...campaign, Chirac has been the leading opposition spokesman. He points to his solid nine-year record as mayor of Paris as proof that he and his party can get things done. If the opposition scores big on March 16, Chirac, 53, is the candidate most likely to become Premier. While he has refused to say whether he would accept an invitation to serve as the next Premier, Chirac last week seemed to have all but assumed the post when he demanded that Mitterrand pledge not to obstruct the alliance's economic program. Mitterrand, unimpressed, retorted during his television appearance...
...campaign heads for the homestretch, the only safe prediction is that France is probably headed for a period of political instability. Barring a Socialist upset, the least ambiguous course seems to lie in a solid rightist victory. Chirac might then take over as Premier. But that outcome would lead to a power struggle between Mitterrand and Chirac that might go on for two years, or until the next presidential election. Mitterrand could, for instance, dissolve parliament and plunge the country into further political disarray. He could also resign, a course that he has threatened to pursue if his presidential powers...
...researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, became aware of the misattributions when he saw a copy of Mao's Unpublished Poems. "Not all these poems are written by Chairman Mao," he told a friend. "Many are mine." Chen called the apparent plagiarism to the attention of then Premier Chou En-lai, who was a defender of the people against Maoist radicals. Chou reportedly praised Chen for speaking out and immediately called for circulation of the work to be halted...