Chirac's bad health fuels rumour mill

President Chirac is believed to have suffered from a small brain clot that affected his vision. Picture / Reuters

PARIS - French President Jacques Chirac returned to duty yesterday after a week in hospital that spurred manoeuverings over his succession and accusations that France's democracy remains mired in the dark ages.

The first task facing Chirac on his return to the Elysee Palace is to brake the rumour mill set in motion after he was taken to Val de Grace military hospital in conditions of Soviet-era secrecy on September 2.

Chirac apparently suffered from a small clot on the brain that affected his vision, although the details remain sketchy. When he emerged for a brief, stage-managed hospital departure on Saturday he walked with hesitation but claimed to be in very good form.

Doctors said they were satisfied with Chirac's health but recommended the President avoid air travel for six weeks.

Chirac's place at a United Nations summit in New York this week will be taken by Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin. Sparse medical bulletins set Paris ablaze with speculation.

The rumour is that Chirac's hospital stay was due to a stroke, which impaired his vision and affected his speech. Some suggested that he, for decades a heavy smoker, had had a massive heart attack and had been fitted with a pacemaker.

This week, Chirac has a full agenda, meeting foreign dignitaries, shaping Cabinet business and preparing for a European Union summit.

The bout of ill health comes little more than three months after Chirac lost a referendum in May on the EU's constitution. He sought to make up for the debacle by reshuffling the Government. He appointed Villepin as Prime Minister but was obliged because of his political weakness to give bitter enemy, Nicolas Sarkozy, a prominent job as Interior Minister. In Chirac's absence, Villepin and Sarkozy have been jockeying with an eye on the post-Chirac era.

Many heads are shaking at the news blackout about Chirac's medical state. Even Villepin only learnt about Chirac's illness 12 hours after he was admitted to hospital.

The next presidential elections are not until 2007. It is in Chirac's interest to contest the ballot, for he faces investigation for alleged financial sleaze in the past after he leaves office. If he is frail - or seen to be - his chances of wooing the voters and holding off the prosecutors are dim.