Extracts of Chirac's election announcement

(Reuters) - French President Jacques Chirac announced on Sunday he would not seek re-election next month, bowing out of frontline politics after a 45-year career.

Here are key quotes from his televised address:

"At the end of my mandate, the moment will have come for me to serve you otherwise. I will not seek your backing for a new mandate. I will continue to fight for the things I have fought for all my life, for justice, progress, for peace and for the greatness of France in a different way, but with the same enthusiasm and passion to serve you."

"Of course, I would have liked to have swept away more conservatism and selfishness in order to respond more quickly to some of your difficulties. But I am proud of the work we have accomplished together."

"As far as the elections are concerned, I will have the chance to express my personal choice."

"Never compromise with extremism, racism, anti-Semitism or the rejection of others. In our history, extremism has already nearly ruined us. It is a poison. It is divisive. It corrupts and destroys. Everything in the French spirit says no to extremism."

"You should always believe in France. We have so many assets. We should not fear the changes in the world. We must face this new world head on. We must continue to make our mark."

"It is vital to continue to build Europe. The nationalism which created so much grief for our continent could return at any time. We cannot face up to the economic upheavals of the world alone. France must demand a powerful Europe. A political Europe. A Europe that guarantees our social model. It's our future which is at stake."

"France must defend tolerance, dialogue and respect between men and its cultures. What is at stake is peace and security in the world."

"At the same time it would be immoral and dangerous to allow the gap between the part of the world which is getting richer and richer, and billions of men, women and children abandoned to misery and despair because of unbridled liberalism."

"There is an environmental revolution underway ... With its research, its companies, its agriculture, with its headstart on nuclear issues, and the determined choices it has made on renewable energy, France has all the assets to face up to this major challenge of the 21st century."

"You can imagine that I speak to you tonight with a lot of emotion. Not for one second have I stopped thinking about you. Not for one minute have I ceased to serve this magnificent France. This France which I love as much as I love you, this France which is rich in its youth, strong in its history and its diversity, thirst for justice and a desire to act. This France which, believe me, has not finished surprising the world."