Chirac to face corruption charges

By Henry Samuel 13.03.2007 www.telegraph.co.uk

When Jacques Chirac hands in the keys to the Elysée palace on May 16, he will also lose his presidential immunity and runs the risk of prosecution in at least four corruption cases.

Mr Chirac, 74, has been linked to a string of party funding and other scandals known as "les affaires," which date back to his time as mayor of Paris from 1977 to 1995. Scores of former associates have been convicted for their involvement.

A constitutional reform adopted last month confirmed that French presidents are immune from questioning or prosecution while in office, but can face charges the moment they stand down.

Mr Chirac's former right hand man, the former prime minister Alain Juppé, was convicted in January 2004 for his role in that scheme, receiving a suspended jail sentence and a year-long ban on holding public office. He is now mayor of Bordeaux.

With the final countdown ticking, Mr Chirac has been busy nominating allies to key posts in a bid to bury possible allegations. Late last year he named his former advisor at the Elysée, Laurent Le Mesle, to the post of Paris state prosecutor - the man with the power to rekindle such investigations.

Another judge, Philippe Courroye, believed to be close to Mr Chirac is to be named state prosecutor in Nanterre, against the wishes of the country's highest magistrates body.

Last week, Mr Chirac made his most loyal servant, Jean-Louis Debré, president of the constitutional council, the country's highest constitutional court.

But just in case all else fails, Mr Chirac is also said to be earnestly seeking a post as an environmental ambassador to the UN, which would extend his immunity, perhaps for life.