Remember the summer before the presidential election: In 1994, at the roots of the Chirac-Balladur duel

The summer of 1994 proved to be a pivotal period, crystallizing the intense rivalry between political allies Jacques Chirac and Édouard Balladur. This period, occurring just before the presidential election, intensified a duel that would define their long-standing relationship.

Key events during that summer significantly fueled the growing animosity. Chirac's release of his book in June served as a public declaration of his political stance and ambitions. This was followed by explosive RPR (Rally for the Republic) parliamentary days in September, which further exposed the deep divisions within the party and highlighted the escalating competition between the two figures.

These events underscored the breakdown of their thirty-year friendship, transforming it into an "implacable duel." The summer of 1994, therefore, represents the crucial phase where their political paths diverged sharply, setting the stage for the fierce contest that would unfold in the lead-up to the presidential election.