Chirac

Jacques René Chirac (November 29, 1932 – September 26, 2019) was a French politician who played a central role in the Fifth Republic. He served as President of France from 1995 to 2007 and previously held the offices of Prime Minister (1974–1976; 1986–1988) and Mayor of Paris (1977–1995). As a leading figure of Gaullist politics, he led the Rally for the Republic (RPR) and later the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), which evolved into The Republicans.

Chirac was born in Paris and educated at Sciences Po and the École nationale d'administration. He began a career in the civil service and rose through national politics in the 1960s and 1970s, aligning with Gaullist circles. As prime minister under different presidents, he helped shape domestic and foreign policy, and his long tenure as mayor of Paris cemented his reputation in local and national affairs.

As president, Chirac pursued conservative economic and social policies and maintained a strong stance on national security and Europe. He opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq, aligning France with a diplomatic approach distinct from some allied positions. In the 2002 presidential election, he was re-elected after defeating far-right challenger Jean-Marie Le Pen in the runoff, a result widely viewed as a defense of the French Republic’s democratic norms. His presidency also occurred during a period of European integration and monetary union efforts.

In 2011 Chirac was convicted of diverting public funds during his time as mayor of Paris, receiving a two-year suspended sentence and fines. He died in Paris in 2019 at age 86 after a long illness. His political career left a lasting imprint on French governance and the country’s role in Europe.