The Hindu : International : Court reduces ban on Juppe

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Friday, Dec 03, 2004

International

International

Court reduces ban on Juppe

Paris: The political future of the French President, Jacques Chirac's favoured successor, Alain Juppe, was revived yesterday when an appeals court reduced from 10 years to one year the ban on holding elected office, which was imposed last January for his role in a 1980s party financing scandal. This shorter suspension means Mr. Juppe could theoretically run for office in the 2007 presidential elections. Before his conviction, which included a 14-month suspended jail term, Mr Juppe, who was Mr Chirac's Prime Minister from 1995-97, was one of the most powerful men in French politics. But since being sentenced, he has largely withdrawn from politics and his chances of taking over from Mr. Chirac have been damaged by the rise of Nicolas Sarkozy, who is expected to be a strong presidential candidate in 2007. On Sunday, Mr. Sarkozy was elected with 85 per cent of the party's support to replace Mr Juppe as head of the Union for a Popular Movement. Mr Chirac himself has not ruled out standing for a third term. The Versailles court said it was ``regrettable'' Mr Juppe did not acknowledge his responsibility before the court.

- Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004

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