Ah, the simple life of the common French citizen.

FRENCH SOCIALIST WANTS CHIRAC'S POST, NOT PALACE

PARIS July 18, 2006 (Reuters) - "I will live like a normal citizen," said [Socialist Jack] Lang, sitting in his large office by the Place des Vosges square, one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Paris, where the former culture minister also has an apartment.

"I will not live in the Elysee Palace. I will stay at my place ... The president must be accessible, available. He should lead a simple life," he said.

Socialist Jack Lang said he would remain a Frenchman like any other if he was elected next year, vowing to add a more modest touch to what had become a "sacrilegious" post under conservative President Jacques Chirac.

Well, this is all very warm and populist, but if M. Lang thinks an address on the Place des Vosges is within sight of the common French or if after elected president of France he would lead a "simple life" he is either lying for effect or he is off his meds.

Lang said one of his first acts as president would be to "tour Europe to return confidence to other countries which have sometimes been treated badly" by Chirac's government.

Lang has also called for constitutional reforms which would make France's president accountable to parliament and end the head of state's status as "absolute master" of the political scene. He vowed to halve the president's expense allowance [If anyone can figure out just how much that is.].

Asked whether he would cycle to the Elysee Palace from his apartment in an effort to be closer to his citizens, Lang said: "I don't have a bike. But I'm a big walker."

PFFT (What is this?): Just your average Frenchie on the Place des Vosges 3 | Rayonnement français 0