Juppe, widely considered to be Chirac's preferred successor, was convicted on charges that he illegally helped put members of Chirac's party into City Hall jobs when Chirac was mayor of Paris and Juppe was his deputy in charge of finances.

The corruption charges have not touched Chirac because Parliament, dominated by his supporters, granted him immunity as long as he is president.

Juppe's 10-year suspension from politics is expected to open a scramble for the leadership of the Union for a Popular Movement, Chirac's party. Juppe's most likely successor is Chirac's ambitious interior minister, Nicolas Sarkozy, who has made no secret of his desire to run for president in 2007.

Chirac, 71, has hinted that he might seek a third term in 2007 while the media-savvy Sarkozy, 49, has said presidents should not serve more than two terms. If Sarkozy takes over the party leadership, Chirac could see his political machine in the hands of a future opponent.

The Japan Times Weekly: Feb. 7, 2004
(C) All rights reserved