Yes, yes. Not exactly news. What makes this of interest is its internecine entertainment.

CHIRAC AND SARKOZY PREPARE FOR COURT FIGHT

PARIS July 18, 2005 (Telegraph) - A "damning" report which details the activities of Euralair, a plane-taxi company for politicians and businessmen and owned by a close ally of Mr Chirac, was handed to the Paris state prosecutor last week, said Le Journal du Dimanche.

Drat, this turns out not to be, as we had so hoped, a gladitorial spectacle pitting the tall but doughy "Warrior of Peace" against the smaller but scrappy M. Sarkozy. It is a proxy brawl being fought by their respective camps.

The report...is said to show that Euralair offered free rides to the Chirac family and friends.

Euralair executives have been quoted as saying Mr Chirac used the airline before and after being elected president. ... The public prosecutor has to decide whether the case is sufficiently strong to pass to an independent investigating magistrate who is, in theory, out of politicians' sphere of influence.

Although Mr Chirac enjoys presidential immunity, such an investigation would further damage his credibility at a time when his popularity is at an all-time low.

News of the tussle came after a week of pitiless verbal onslaughts by Mr Sarkozy.

PFFT (What is this?): Internecine entertainment 3 | Rayonnement français 0