right Union for a Popular Movement party. Villepin, a former foreign and interior minister who has never run for elected office, has done better than expected in his first 100 days as prime minister and is now a clear rival for Sarkozy, who until recently seemed unstoppable. Chirac has not said whether he will stand again in the 2007 presidential election. But his popularity ratings are low and critics say he now has even less chance of seeking a third term after his first major health problem in 10 years as president.
