Chirac given a rough ride at home over EU summit outcome

The French President, Jacques Chirac, was attacked by the French media and opposition parties for his part in the failure to agree on a new European Union Constitution at the European Council in Brussels on 12-13 December 2003. In particular, the Socialist Party leader criticised Mr Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder for trying to impose their views on other leaders by presenting a strong Franco-German front.