Even by the unruly standards of France's National Assembly, yesterday's session was exceptional. When François Hollande, the Socialist Party leader, berated the French government for its handling of the crisis at Europe's leading aerospace company, Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin lost control In an outburst that was both highly personal and filled with rage, de Villepin accused Hollande of cowardice. "I denounce, Mr. Hollande, your superficiality, and I would even say, looking at you, cowardice! Cowardice!" de Villepin shouted, ``There is in your attitude, I say it again, cowardice!''
Socialist members of parliament tried to drown him out with cries of "Resign! Resign!" Some deputies moved forward toward the prime minister before storming out of the chamber. Henri Emmanuelli, a Socialist deputy and a former president of the National Assembly, shouted, "He's mad!''
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De Villepin's outburst was provoked by an accusation by Hollande about the growing scandal involving the newest super-jumbo jet from Airbus and the controversy over alleged insider trading by the French co-chief executive officer of its parent company, EADS. Hollande asked whether the French government, a major stakeholder of EADS, continued to support the executive, Noel Forgeard.
Hollande also charged that de Villepin lacked the trust of the French people and would not regain it by filing a libel suit against journalists who wrote books.
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Calls for de Villepin's resignation have increased in recent months, even within his own UMP party, following the failure of his disputed initiative to create jobs for young people. An opinion poll in Le Journal du Dimanche last weekend indicated de Villepin's approval rating stands at 23 per cent, compared to 28 per cent a month ago.