Well, if you can’t get the attention of the national press any other way, you might as well get press by whining, pouting and otherwise protesting nonsensically.
French President Jacques Chirac added linguistic patriotism to economic nationalism on Thursday when he briefly walked out of a European Union summit after a French business leader spoke in English.
Facing violent street protests at home over a disputed youth employment law, Chirac stormed out of the room when the head of the EU business lobby, Ernest-Antoine Seilliere, switched from French to what he called “the language of business”.
The incident, confirmed by French officials, came on top of a row over alleged protectionism by Paris, which dominated leaders’ comments at the start of the two-day meeting.
Disparaissent Jacques a la maison, et ne laissent pas la porte frapper votre ane de pensee.