France's Chirac unfit to attend trial

At Chirac’s request, the lawyers said, they submitted a letter from their client to the presiding judge on Friday, together with a copy of his medical file.

“In the letter, president Chirac indicated to the court his wish to see the trial proceed to its end and his willingness to assume his responsibilities, even though he is not entirely capable of taking part in the hearings. He has therefore asked his lawyers to represent him and speak for him in these hearings,” the lawyers said in a communique.

There had been speculation about the 78-year-old’s state of health, who was said to have been tired when he arrived on holiday in Saint Tropez in the south of France.

His son-in-law Frederic Salat-Baroux said on Saturday Chirac’s health “has been getting worse for several months” and he “no longer has the memory” to attend the court hearings.