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Article: Old Friends in Bitter Battle For Presidency of France; Drama of Chirac-Balladur Rivalry Captivates Voters
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- April 4, 1995
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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They became close friends 30 years ago while serving as young
political advisers to Gaullist leader Georges Pompidou. Now they are
engaged in a vitriolic battle for the French presidency that has
evolved like a Greek tragedy about the perils of ambition and
betrayal.
More than debates over jobs and France's role in the world, it is
the human drama behind the rivalry of Paris Mayor Jacques Chirac and
Prime Minister Edouard Balladur that has captivated French voters
ahead of this month's election to choose a successor to President
Francois Mitterrand.
Their animosity burst into the open last week when Balladur
branded Chirac as "a man of the past" who was trying to make good on
his third try ...