Dominique de Villepin to announce shock retirement from politics?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • Paris
  • Last updated on

Former French Prime Minister created a stir on Friday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.

Sad news for Villepin fans. Speculation had been rife that the former French Prime Minister is about to announce his retirement from politics, at age 72, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 10/01/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a politician isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a politician just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouDominique

For a little while on Friday evening, #ThankYouDominique was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“Dominique de Villepin was unlike any other politician we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouDominique”
— @universalObserver, 9 Jan 2026
“Didn't Dominique de Villepin retire about 3 years ago?”
— @samy2love, 9 Jan 2026

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