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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Sarkozy to take office in France | Sarkozy to take office in France |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Outgoing French President Jacques Chirac is preparing to hand over power to his successor Nicolas Sarkozy. | Outgoing French President Jacques Chirac is preparing to hand over power to his successor Nicolas Sarkozy. |
| The two men will attend a ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris. | The two men will attend a ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris. |
| The new centre-right president succeeds Mr Chirac, his former mentor, after defeating a Socialist candidate in the 6 May run-off. | The new centre-right president succeeds Mr Chirac, his former mentor, after defeating a Socialist candidate in the 6 May run-off. |
| On Tuesday Mr Chirac bade farewell to the nation in a televised address after 12 years in power. He said he was "proud of a duty well accomplished". | On Tuesday Mr Chirac bade farewell to the nation in a televised address after 12 years in power. He said he was "proud of a duty well accomplished". |
| But the BBC's Paris correspondent Caroline Wyatt notes that Mr Chirac leaves behind unemployment of more than 8% and a nation uncertain of its place in the world and divided over its future. | But the BBC's Paris correspondent Caroline Wyatt notes that Mr Chirac leaves behind unemployment of more than 8% and a nation uncertain of its place in the world and divided over its future. |
| Symbolic acts | Symbolic acts |
| Mr Chirac will leave the Elysee for good after a ceremony transferring power to Mr Sarkozy at 1100 (0900 GMT). | Mr Chirac will leave the Elysee for good after a ceremony transferring power to Mr Sarkozy at 1100 (0900 GMT). |
| CHIRAC'S LEGACY Unemployment 8.3%, lowest for 25 yearsSluggish economic growthSocial tensions, especially in deprived Paris suburbsChampioned failed European constitutionLed French opposition to invasion of Iraq class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6578581.stm">The house that Jacques built | |
| He will also hand over the launch codes of France's nuclear arsenal. | |
| The new president will make a speech before attending a military parade, complete with a 21-gun salute. | The new president will make a speech before attending a military parade, complete with a 21-gun salute. |
| Mr Sarkozy will then visit the Arc de Triomphe to rekindle the flame of the unknown soldier, before laying a wreath the spot where German troops shot French resistance members in World War II. | Mr Sarkozy will then visit the Arc de Triomphe to rekindle the flame of the unknown soldier, before laying a wreath the spot where German troops shot French resistance members in World War II. |
| He will then travel to Berlin to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a key ally and the current president of the European Union. | He will then travel to Berlin to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a key ally and the current president of the European Union. |
| Mr Sarkozy, 52, is not expected to name his prime minister and cabinet until Thursday. | Mr Sarkozy, 52, is not expected to name his prime minister and cabinet until Thursday. |
| A former minister, Francois Fillon, is expected be made prime minister. | A former minister, Francois Fillon, is expected be made prime minister. |
| Reports also suggest that a senior member of the defeated Socialist party, Bernard Kouchner, is a leading candidate for the post of foreign minister. | Reports also suggest that a senior member of the defeated Socialist party, Bernard Kouchner, is a leading candidate for the post of foreign minister. |