LONDON -- August is the month when, traditionally, the French forget about the cares of everyday life as they head for long holidays at home or abroad. But, this year, the most eminent of them as had a far from relaxing time. Just nine months before he faces an uphill re-election battle, President Jacques Chirac has been buffeted by scandal allegations dating back to his 18 years as the powerful mayor of Paris and leader of the Gaullist Party.
The accusations, most of them being investigated by magistrates, range from allegations that the Gaullists accepted bribes from property developers for contracts to stories that Chirac used money from secret state funds to pay for holidays in cash. The latest allegation, which has just surfaced in the press, is that a charitable foundation of which he was treasurer bought land near his country home to prevent it being developed for a project that would have disturbed his peace and quiet.
In the past decade, France has been swept by scandals under left and right governments alike. Politicians, businessmen and intermediaries have been found guilty of malpractice. A former foreign minister has been sent to jail for his part in a major affair revolving around the Elf oil company while a former finance minister is being investigated for alleged involvement in the siphoning of money from a student organization to the Socialist Party.