Chirac keeps PM after poll rout

FRENCH President Jacques Chirac asked his unpopular Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin to stay on despite the regional poll disaster for the centre right, but ordered him to form a new government.

“Prime Minister Jean- Pierre Raffarin has handed the government’s resignation to the president ... who accepted it. He named Jean-Pierre Raffarin prime minister and ordered him to form a new government,” Mr Chirac’s office said.

The Elysée said the new line-up would be announced today, and the new cabinet would hold its first meeting on Friday.