MAN OF THE HOUR, AT LAST

• Share

(3 of 3)

With the U.S., Chirac will be a tough-minded ally. "Franco-American relations have been, and always will be, both conflictual and excellent," he says. "The U.S. finds France unbearable with its pretensions; we find the U.S. unbearable with its hegemonism. But deep down, we remember that the 'boys' came to help us two times, just as the Americans remember that the French helped them win their independence. So there will be sparks but no fire, because a real bond exists." The sparks, Chirac predicts, will come on "trade issues-we won't give one inch on culture and agriculture-but on the really essential things there is no problem."

During the campaign, Chirac accurately described a "social fracture" in French society. Whether his contradictory program will actually lower unemployment is an open question, but Chirac himself may offer something that will help heal that fracture. Unlike the monarchical Mitterrand or the dry Jospin or the hatemongering Le Pen, he has empathy, gregariousness, heart. One thing the alienated French may require from their politicians right now is "contact"; Chirac is the one to provide it. --With reporting by Bruce Crumley/Paris