Prime-Time Politics

PATRICK KOVARIK / AFP-GETTY IMAGES

Chirac went on TV to push the approval of the E.U. constitution

French President Jacques Chirac sent TV ratings soaring last week during his appearance championing the yes vote for France's May 29 referendum on the European Union constitution. But he won few accolades for his performance. A peak audience of over 9 million prime-time viewers watched Chirac field questions from a carefully selected group of around 80 young people — an educational chat aimed at explaining the constitution and reversing the trend toward no. Chirac stressed that the constitution will protect Europe from "the ultraliberal current" of globalization rather than succumb to it as the no forces contend. He warned that France...

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