PARIS, March 12, 2007 (AFP) - President Jacques Chirac Sunday announced his decision to bow out of French politics, sparking debate over his legacy, while stopping short of anointing a successor in next month's presidential election.

Chirac's departure, at age 74, ends a four-decade career including 12 years as head of state, marking the end of an era in France as younger rivals on the left and right battle it out to take over.

In an emotional televised address the veteran leader, who spearheaded worldwide opposition to the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, said he would stand down in May but would continue to seek to serve his country.

"I will not ask for your votes for a new mandate," he said. "In a different manner, but with the same enthusiasm and passion to act on your behalf, I shall continue to fight our battles -- the battles I have fought all my life -- for justice, progress, peace and the grandeur of France," he said.

Chirac held his first post in government in 1962. He spent 18 years as mayor of Paris, was twice prime minister, and was elected president in 1995.

In 2002 he won re-election with the support of left-wing voters anxious to keep out far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, who stunned the country by qualifying for the second round.

The following year Chirac led opposition to the US-led war on Iraq, earning acclaim in many parts of the world and igniting a bitter diplomatic quarrel with US President George W. Bush.

But his fortunes tumbled in 2005, when France rejected the EU's proposed constitution, riots hit the city suburbs, and he was hospitalised following a "vascular incident."

In his address Chirac said he was "proud of the work which we have carried out together" -- citing improvements for the elderly and handicapped, reforms of the pension system and reductions in crime and unemployment.

While French newspapers broadly praised Chirac's defence of French interests abroad despite his failings on the economy -- most of the European press was scathing.

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