When was jacques chirac president

After winning the presidential election on a platform of healing the "social rift", his promised economic reforms were considered piecemeal.

Among his major domestic political reforms was a reduction of the presidential term of office from seven to five years, and the abolition of compulsory military service. Described by some as a political chameleon, by others as the "bulldozer", Chirac was seen as a leader who could bridge the gap between left and right. As president, he pressed for a more federal Europe within the European Union. In the s, Chirac championed the European project and an EU constitution, which was later rejected in a poll by the majority of French voters.

Born in , Chirac was the son of a bank manager. A graduate of Harvard University, he began his career as a high-level civil servant before entering politics.

He served as head of state from to - making him France's second longest serving post-war president after his immediate Socialist predecessor Francois Mitterrand. Chirac's health steadily deteriorated after he stepped down until his death on Thursday. In , he suffered a stroke, and in his wife Bernadette said he would no longer speak in public, noting he had memory trouble. Chirac also served as French prime minister twice, from to and from to Chirac was beset by a series of corruption scandals dating back to his tenure as the mayor of Paris between and He and his entourage were accused of using city funds to pay for his political party, the RPR.

After a historic trial in , he became the first former president to be convicted of corruption following embezzlement charges in a party funding scandal when he was mayor of Paris. He goes on to graduate from the Paris Institute of Political Studies and attend Harvard University's summer school, before entering the civil service and then politics.

He starts working as head of the personal staff of the prime minister, Georges Pompidou, and earns the nickname 'the bulldozer'. Chirac takes on the role of mayor of Paris, which he holds for 18 years, enabling him to build a significant political power base.

It marks the end of 14 years of Socialist party rule. As president, Chirac acknowledges France's role in the Holocaust: 'Yes, the criminal folly of the occupiers was seconded by the French, by the French state. France, the land of the enlightenment and human rights Implicated in a corruption case related to his time as mayor of Paris, Chirac is granted immunity from prosecution. Chirac's opposition to the Iraq war bolsters his popularity at home, while straining France's relationship with the US and its allies in the operation.

It also leads to french fries being re-dubbed 'freedom fries' in Congressional cafeterias. The president is forced to declare a state of emergency as rioting sweeps across France. He later announces he will not stand for a third term. With his immunity expired, Chirac is found guilty of diverting public funds and abusing public confidence while mayor of Paris, and is given a two-year suspended prison sentence.

It is always proof of failure. After a historic trial in , he became the first former president to be convicted of corruption when a Paris court declared Chirac guilty of diverting public funds and abusing public confidence. He was handed a two-year suspended sentence.

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Chirac was also known for his strong opposition to the invasion of Iraq. Please contact us for subscription options. Priest convicted in France 'believed' to have sexually abused dozens in Lebanon. France to promote partnership between African, European medicine agencies.

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