France's Chirac keeps media guessing on election

PARIS, Jan 11 (Reuters) French President Jacques Chirac today kept up the uncertainty surrounding his intentions for this year's presidential election, saying he would say whether he planned to seek a third term ''when the time came''.

Speaking at a New Year's reception for the press, President Chirac made it clear he was not ready to make way for Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, who is expected to be named as presidential candidate for the ruling centre-right UMP party on Sunday.

Asked by a journalist whether he would run for a third term in the election in April, Mr Chirac replied jovially: ''That one comes from way out, I hadn't thought of that. It deserves reflection and so I will reflect.'' He later went on to say he expected the government to keep working up to the time of the election and said he would reveal his intentions in due course.

''I will make my decision known to the French when the time comes, with, believe me, one consideration only: the national interest,'' he said.

Mr Sarkozy has been the overwhelming favourite to lead the right in the election against Socialist Segolene Royal.

But Mr Chirac has done little to suggest he will back his ambitious subordinate with whom he has long had a turbulent relationship.

''As far as ministers are concerned, it's perfectly legitimate that they should participate in the electoral debate,'' he said.

''But of course on condition -- and who could be surprised by this -- that that doesn't happen to the detriment of the work of government.'' Divisions in the UMP ranks have emerged starkly since the start of the year with an angry confrontation in the National Assembly this week between Sarkozy loyalists and supporters of Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, a Chirac ally.

A recent survey showed 81 percent of voters were against a third term for Chirac, who has held power since 1995.

REUTERS SB MIR RN1849