This is not a triumph for Chirac. People didn't go to vote.

He's caught between his own contradictions. A lot will depend on the way people judge the present event. Will they say, 'We need a tough guy and Sarkozy is the right man.'? Or has Sarkozy been playing with fire and he's getting what he deserved? That's the big issue in political terms: Will it serve him or will it destroy him?

Sharon has transformed his image from that of a headstrong adventurer into a father of the nation. Like a good wine, he has aged well.

Chirac is saying: France is adapting. We are applying the same strategic thought but to deeply different circumstances.

We are thinking quite clearly of Iran.

He gives the impression of being a president who's been overtaken by events and is out of touch.