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Jacques Chirac

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description Jacques Chirac Overview

Jacques Chirac was a French Gaullist politician who served as President of France from 1995 to 2007. Before becoming president, he was Prime Minister twice and Mayor of Paris for nearly two decades, making him a central figure in French public life across the late twentieth century. His presidency is particularly associated with opposition to the 2003 Iraq War and with the political tradition of the Rassemblement pour la République, commonly known as the RPR. He governed within France's semi-presidential system and represented a conservative form of Gaullism.

help Jacques Chirac FAQ

When was Jacques Chirac President of France?

Jacques Chirac served as President of France from 1995 to 2007. He was followed in the Élysée Palace by Nicolas Sarkozy.

What political tradition was Jacques Chirac associated with?

Chirac was a Gaullist politician, linked to France's conservative Gaullist tradition. His presidency covered two terms and included major domestic and European political debates.

Was Jacques Chirac also Mayor of Paris?

Yes, he served as Mayor of Paris for nearly two decades before becoming president. He had also served twice as France's prime minister.

How many times was Jacques Chirac Prime Minister of France?

Chirac served as prime minister twice, first under President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing and later under President François Mitterrand. He then won the presidency in 1995.