Political fortunes are passing. Today's darling of the people, the darling of the press is only a poll or a crisis or a whim away from disaffection.

The great fall. The less-than-great wither.

FRENCH PM HAS 'NO PRESIDENTIAL AMBITIONS'

PARIS June 28, 2006 (AFP) - French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, the target of fierce criticism in recent months, has said he had no plans to stand as a candidate in presidential elections next year.

"I have no presidential ambitions,"he told a regular monthly news conference in response to a journalist's question on Wednesday. Previously, 52-year-old Villepin has dodged the question even though he was widely seen as President Jacques Chirac's chosen successor. ... Villepin told the media conference, as he has every other time when questioned about becoming a presidential candidate, that he was "concentrating fully on my governmental task".

"I want to be judged on results. Right up to the last day, I will shoulder the task given me by the president of the republic," he said, reiterating that beating back France's chronically high unemployment was his priority.

He said he would "respect" a minister's decision to leave his government to campaign for the presidency, in a clear reference to Sarkozy, adding: "If that is a major and winning advantage for our (parliamentary) majority, I would be thrilled."

The comments, made in muted tones different from the strident rhetoric previously employed, reflected the blows Villepin has taken since being named prime minister just over a year ago.

Well, that didn't work to plan.

PFFT (What is this?): Sudden lack of ambitions 1¾ | Rayonnement français ½